Mr. Mark Griffin:

I mentioned to Deputy John Deasy that we are issuing a consultation document on a renewable electricity development framework which will try to identify parts of the country that are perhaps less populated and which might be suitable for renewable energy developments. If we were to do this, we would be into another set of problems as these are likely to be more remote locations and the cost of providing a grid would, therefore, increase. All of these issues are interconnected and complex. I go back to the point I made to Deputy John Deasy that our preference would be to mitigate, for want of a better term, the real impacts. The focus on noise and the putting in place of a proper system based on noise impacts, taking account of the impact on noise-sensitive receptors such as domestic premises, schools etc., is something that requires a degree of consideration on our part and that of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.