Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My point is along the same lines as that made by Deputy Boyd Barrett. The logistics of bringing relief to people who want to insulate their homes to the extent required within a short space of time is definitely going to be difficult. I am thinking aloud, which I know is a dangerous thing to do, especially in politics. One must do it, from time to time. I wonder is there a possibility to arrange a system whereby the grant or grants available can be used as a guarantee with lending institutions in order to enable the household to make the application forthwith and allow the retrofitting to proceed. When the work is done to the required specifications, the lending institution will get its money out of the grant and arrangements can be made to make up any amount that remains outstanding. Something similar was done in the 1980s, relating to the extension of dwellings. It worked very well. Costs were lower at the time but everything is relative. I wonder if that might be a possibility. It would certainly resolve the problems for many people who have homes that are not energy efficient at all and who have no possibility of meeting the deadline within a reasonable time. The State would benefit from reduced energy provision. The householder would also benefit. The difference is fairly substantial.

I was a member of a committee which dealt with energy and transport issues in 2007. A considerable amount of research was done at the time. In my own humble way, I decided I would practise some of the suggestions of that research, and I did. I introduced double glazing all round. I ceased burning coal and introduced a wood-burning stove. There was a considerable difference. There was no real recognition of what was done. Nobody recognised it. Nobody said, "Well done" and told me that was a move in the right direction. Nobody commented at all. As a matter of fact, there was a review done by a television programme. I think one had to be trendy, which is an awful phrase, to qualify for mention in it. I happened to be the only person on that committee who was not mentioned although I was the only one who made any major improvement to the insulation of my house with a view to reducing carbon emissions.