Mr. Matthew Kennedy:

The SEAI is really in the business of providing for good practice to facilitate a greater deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. In the context of renewable energy, especially wind energy, we have worked very closely with stakeholders such as the local authorities, NGOs, county managers, Departments, utilities and industrial associations to develop what we call LARES, or local authority renewable energy strategy. It is a methodological approach for local authorities to take on board the development of renewable energy strategies. It is all about achieving consistency of approach across local authorities to assist them in developing robust, co-ordinated and sustainable strategies in accordance with both national and European obligations. That involves three strands. The first is the provision of information, not only for the local authority but also for developers. The second strand is consistency of approach with regard to best practice in the design and delivery of renewable energy measures at a local level. The third strand is consistent identification of the best renewable energy resources within various municipalities or local authorities.