Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives and thank them for their presentation. What role does the SEAI see itself playing in developing a microgeneration industry in this country? In light of the benefits it can offer in the areas of sustainability, carbon emissions and community development, why are we still only discussing it as a possible proposal in the Green Paper? I would expect the SEAI to take a lead role in developing a view on whether microgeneration has potential in Ireland. Are we letting policy slip in this regard? Perhaps the SEAI can play a proactive role in leading that debate. Whether in wind, biomass, hydro or hybrid systems, there is huge potential not so much for benefitting individual homes or businesses as for community gain. Communities are kicking back against the large-scale projects currently under consideration. They will not kick back against microgeneration solutions where they can see the direct benefits.

I apologise for missing the earlier part of the witnesses' contributions. What is SEAI's relationship with the Energy Regulator and how are its functions distinguished from the latter? What is its relationship with the large energy companies?

I congratulate SEAI on the warmer and better homes schemes and its champion based initiatives for communities and individual homes. By and large, they have been very successful in offering better outcomes for individuals and businesses, generating employment and developing better energy products. However, there have been problems with contractors. Each of us has encountered customers who were less than satisfied with the standard of work carried out. I regret to say that I have dealt with several cases which SEAI has been unable to resolve. Perhaps they will ultimately be dealt with through a court process. I am aware that SEAI has developed a resolution protocol but does it also provide a bonding or compensation mechanism? If a contractor decides to liquidate a company and begin again under a different operating name, the consumer will be left exposed if the SEAI continues to recommend that contractor. This is only happening in a tiny minority of cases but it needs to be dealt with.