Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

What has been said harks back to what Deputy Stanley objected to, which is the idea we have to be guided all the time, in advance, by what Europe might say about what we want to do. I will press for a further amendment of this draft legislation. The Minister has missed the idea that within Ireland's energy market, specific communities, co-operatives and local individuals can produce, thanks be to God, sustainable energy for themselves and more and that we should allow them access to the grid and the market without having to compete on the same playing field with the big players. The Minister said that we cannot legislate for this aspect without considering what Europe will say to us, which to me is putting the cart before the horse. If I am wrong, please correct me, but we should legislate for our needs, desires and what we think is best for our market and people. If the commission in Europe that regulates utilities comes up with legislation that we are out of step with, let us deal with it then. The Minister said that it would be inefficient and imprudent for us to legislate in advance of what the Commission may have to say. We should pursue these amendments to assist our market.