Mr. John Walsh:

We are looking at using the energy on the islands. Our plan, first and foremost, was to use the energy on the islands. Thinking about it, if we are producing energy and we can offer people living on the islands cheaper energy or if we can offer businesses cheaper or free energy if they set up business on the islands, it would be a great way to attract new people and businesses to the islands. That was one of our aims. On electric vehicles, I know that over the last number of years electric buses have been used on Cape Clear as part of the Local Link scheme. It has been very successful. It is very good for the environment and it avoids the hassle of brinGing petrol or diesel to the island, which is great.

We were very happy to see, under the CLÁR funding announced last week, that there is now a scheme for islands to purchase electric vehicles for community use. As part of that scheme, funding is also available for PV panels or some technology to produce electricity. That is going to be an excellent scheme for the islands. They are the type of schemes that we look for. We are delighted that the Department introduced that scheme after consulting with islanders about it. To answer the Deputy's question, yes, we would be delighted to look at all sorts of technology for the transport system, especially green ferries. The Danish Government ran a competition for people to come together to develop a green ferry. We are looking at green ferries on the islands. We are actually looking to do a test case at the dry dock that I mentioned previously. We are looking to build a small electric ferry and perhaps a small electric potting boat for fishing. There are a lot of benefits coming down the line with renewable energy for the islands. We just have to be set up and ready for it.