Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am asking about our renewable electricity targets as opposed to our emissions. I understand they are intertwined but, in fairness, I am asking about the commitments we gave in 2009 which we are not going to achieve, notwithstanding the resourcing. It is a balancing act but we must address the issues around electricity, transport and heat. I am asking about electricity because, invariably, there are problems with the planning system and the witness has himself mentioned the review of wind energy guidelines that has been so slow.

Mr. McCarthy mentioned a strategic environmental assessment, but it is disappointing to see the number of planning applications refused on environmental grounds because of a technicality in many cases. This might be going into different issues. An appropriate assessment might not have been done or a strategic environmental assessment might not have been done. It seems to crop up regularly. Are we on top of that?