Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is wonderful to hear the witnesses' enthusiasm. They are the champions in their communities. I acknowledge the presence of Dr. Senan Cook, whom I know personally. I attended the communities creating jobs workshop in Dunhill. What is being done in this community, in terms of bottom-up, is incredible. As someone who lives close to the Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown area, I know that it is the creative holistic approach taken to developing the community that has been a success. It is about opening one's mind and opening potential.

Ms Earley referenced the ability to innovate. We have no national policy on social enterprise. Having listened to the contributors, I recommend that this committee contact the Minister, Deputy Ring, and ask him when we will have such a policy. The witnesses have identified the need for same. We all recognise the importance of sustaining rural communities. The Green Party made a submission to the national social enterprise strategy in December 2017. One of the areas we looked at is the transit to decarbonising our environment, which feeds into what Mr. Finn had to say in terms of the farmers. The Green Party believes there is huge opportunity to mobilise and engage communities in rural Ireland on the issues of renewable energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases. Do the witnesses have any plans in this area in their communities? For example, there is potential for farm buildings with regard to solar energy generation and potential in the renewable sector in general in enterprising communities to develop the whole energy market as we move away from the burning of fossil fuels.

The point for the Green Party is that we get bottom-up movement in this area and that we get co-operatives moving and communities moving so that we are working towards a healthier and better environment for all. I understand it will take considerable innovation, but that micro-generation of energy has huge potential for rural communities. I know in Dr. Cooke's area there is some engagement with regard to the potential of wind energy. Although there is considerable opposition, it is because the model currently being used is a top-down model with large corporate businesses coming in. We lack that community engagement. Do the witnesses see that potential in their communities? How could the Government support them in that regard?

People in my area in Waterford say they have difficulty in accessing LEADER funding for projects. Individuals have to provide their own guarantee based on the match-funding mechanism. Could that match-funding be minimised or what could be done to give more people the opportunity to develop their enterprising ideas without barriers at the initial stage?

We need to come in behind what the witnesses are doing, particularly the model Dr. Cooke spoke about. The Green Party would be 100% behind him if we can get that pilot going. His presentation ticks all the boxes and he is very enthusiastic. However, it is not just what he is saying here; we know it in the community. Along with Senator Coffey and Deputy Butler, we see what he is doing. That model would be brilliant if we could roll it out and we will give whatever support we can in doing that.