Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I have figures available to me and an assessment on that, my objective is to try to maximise the amount of renewables. Not even from a climate perspective but an energy security perspective, it makes far more sense to be putting investment in to sustainable long-term solutions that mean that our energy needs are met domestically rather than being imported. As Deputy Eamon Ryan will be aware, the reason we are looking at a 40% target for 2030 is that the demand for electricity is projected to increase dramatically here over the decade between 2020 and 2030.

As Deputy Ryan is well aware, to maintain 40% renewables will be a significant ask and challenge for our grid.