Mr. Gerry Britchfield:

There are two elements. The targets to 2020 are related to domestic electricity generation. In the context of wind energy, we are trying to assist in meeting by 2020 the target of 40% of domestic electricity generation using renewables. We are completely focused on that objective. As regards how we approach it, we are rooted in communities and have to get on with them in order to be able to carry on our business. We put a lot of time and effort into trying to achieve this. When we are applying for planning permission for our wind farm sites, we are certainly on the ground and attend public meetings in communities in an endeavour to explain why and the benefits. We have a clear view that there has to be a community gain, with which we agreed. There is room for improvement concerning how much goes back to the community. We are working on trying to develop better ways of doing this in the future. In terms of our planning applications, we have been reasonably successful. One cannot satisfy everybody and we are not pretending that we can. There will be opponents of what we are proposing to do, but we make a real effort to engage with communities. We try to explain why we are doing it and there is a planning process whereby those who disagree with us can put their views on the table.

If exporting wind energy supplies is not Government policy, we will not pursue it. We are certainly seeking a lead from the Government in terms of whether this will get off the ground. If it is to have traction, the first thing that needs to happen is that the intergovernmental agreement will have to be sorted out. The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, have agreed that there is a period of three months in which to try to come to a conclusion and a solution, if one can be obtained. If one cannot be obtained, we will not be exporting wind energy supplies. If it becomes Government policy and the Government has taken it on as a key objective, we will try to deploy our land to achieve that objective. We are a player because of the fact that we own 7% of the country's land area. We have lands adjacent to Bord na Móna's lands and are working closely with it to see, if this thing gets legs, whether we can join forces to put some impetus behind it. We work with people whom we regard as reputable players. We work closely with the ESB which is a partner on three of our projects. We also work closely with Scottish and Southern Airtricity on one project. We want to ensure what we do meets our standards of corporate governance, that we engage with people and are not seen - as Deputy Willie Penrose described it - as corporate bullies. We are certainly not in that space, as we understand people have concerns. These items are very large and can be up to 180 m in height. We realise these are issues and that we have to engage on them.

We regard wind energy as an important component of Ireland's energy mix. Going back to Government policy, security of supply is a key element. Studies back up the fact that the use of wind energy as part of the mix reduces the wholesale price of electricity. That is our position on the issue, of which we have recently completed a study.