Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Motherway and Mr. Meally for their presentation. I acknowledge the work done and progress achieved by the SEAI. I was involved in one of the first community schemes in Waterford, which involved a national school coming together with a day centre for the elderly. They would never have come together were it not for the relevant SEAI scheme. They made a successful joint application and thereafter combined their resources to introduce a number of measures, including energy efficient insulation, boilers and lighting. I commend the SEAI on the scheme.

We have a long way to go in the context of informing the wider community of the further benefits of sustainable energy initiatives. A joint approach is required in this regard. At micro level, there are various grant schemes, energy awareness campaigns, etc., while at macro level there is the national energy policy. The latter is something we must address and I have no doubt we will face a number of serious challenges in so doing. At micro level, the SEAI grant aids energy efficient heating systems such as those which involve the use of geothermal and solar power, wood pellet boilers and so on. That is extremely positive, but I would be critical of two aspects. In the first instance, householders who have such systems in their homes require a degree of technical knowledge to operate them efficiently. For example, a geothermal system uses heat taken straight from underground. If such a system is not properly controlled, it can work in reverse and the householder can end up with massive electricity bills because he or she is not fully aware of what is involved in terms of controlling the system. In addition, such systems are quite expensive to install. There is a need for more work to be done in respect of this matter but I am not sure how the SEAI will proceed in that regard. I would be interesting in hearing our guests' views on the matter.

For the type of systems to which I refer to be installed, householders must have a certain amount of money to spend themselves. In view of the fact that we are in the midst of a recession, there are limits to the amounts of money people have available and there are those who may not be in a position to invest in installing energy efficient heating systems. A challenge also arises in respect of this matter. A wood pellet or a geothermal system could cost anything up to €10,000 to install. Many households have open fires, which are extremely inefficient. I understand the level of efficiency relating to them is 20%. Would the SEAI not consider introducing a scheme whereby people could replace their open fires with simple stoves? I accept they would still be burning fossil fuels but I understand the level of efficiency of such stoves is 80% in the context of heat output and the amount of fuel burned. Technical knowledge is not required to use a stove and no major financial outlay is required. If a scheme such as that were introduced, the level of energy efficiency throughout the country would increase dramatically. I accept that stoves are not totally sustainable but they are a great deal more sustainable than open fires. Would the SEAI be interested in introducing such a scheme? Large numbers of people live in rural areas and many of them, particularly the elderly, would not have an idea how to use a geothermal system or a wood pellet boiler. They would have no interest in such systems but they might be willing to install stoves if there were some incentive for doing so. I am of the view that this would give rise to our achieving much higher levels of energy efficiency.

On the macro level, there is much resistance to sources of renewable energy projects involving, for example, wind farms, and many people have lodged objections in respect of these. I am very much in favour of wind farms. There is a small wind farm in my locality which was installed approximately ten or 15 years ago. No one objected to its construction at the time. Schoolchildren in the area actually visit the facility. They draw pictures and are proud of it. Those in other communities have genuine concerns with regard to the impact of proposed wind farms, particularly those of a massive scale. We have much work to do in the context of considering how we might bring members of the public along with us and impressing upon them the fact we need to convert to renewable sources of energy and reduce our dependence on imports of fossil fuels. Will our guests indicate how we might proceed in this regard?

There is a great deal of misinformation in respect of this matter and political parties can be opportunistic, particularly at election time. We are not being responsible in the context of how we are dealing with the challenges we face. On the one hand, it is stated that we need to access more sources of renewable energy. There is a Private Members' Bill before the Dáil in which it is stated that: "Wind turbines that are of a height which is greater than 25 metres shall be located not less than a distance of ten times the height of the turbine away from any dwelling." Is it physically possible to facilitate such a set-back distance in this country? I very much doubt it. I do not wish to oblige our guests to enter the political arena but I would like to hear their views on this matter. As politicians, we need to be upfront and show leadership. We cannot, as some politicians are trying to do, be all things to everyone.

Will our guests outline their views on biomass? I recently attended a public meeting, which was covered by the media, at which a presentation was made by BW Energy on the benefits of converting Moneypoint, Ireland's largest power station, from oil to biomass.

They are telling us we would reach our 2020 targets at a single stroke if that happened. What are SEAI's views on biomass? Is it a sustainable technology on that scale? Is the body aware of the report and will it be making a response to it?

Hydro has been mentioned only briefly. I come from a place in Waterford where 300 kW of power was generated in the 19th century on the local river. There is not one kilowatt generated there now. Is there any promotion within SEAI to develop micro-hydro schemes nationally? Is it an area we should explore more? We have many rivers. I acknowledge that there are issues with habitats and fish but is there a possibility of exploiting hydro power to a greater extent if only on a community scheme level to increase renewable energy production?