Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions. My first question is for the Department and concerns the timeline for the local authority climate action plans. The Act obliges local authorities to prepare them within 12 months of the request of the Minister and the request must be made no later than 18 months after section 16 comes into operation. Progress has been delayed as the legislation took longer to be enacted. When will the Department release the statutory guidelines, which have been outlined in legislation, for the local authority climate action plans?

The witnesses have talked about microgeneration and community energy production. Solar Energy Ireland told us about the impact of restrictions on direct lines for people who could have a solar farm, and possibly sell direct to community buildings or houses. Section 37 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 prohibits direct lines going in. Will the Department change that situation and thus allow communities to produce their own energy and removing the necessity of waiting for a grid connection?

My next question is for the SEAI regarding its three-stage journey of learn-plan-do. Earlier Dr. Byrne said that 655 sustainable energy communities have been established. Can I have a breakdown on how many SECs have reached each stage? I have heard anecdotally that many of them only get through the first two stages of learn and plan. Is that the case? Is there a high level of attrition? Has the attrition rate been analysed and reasons sought to explain why community groups do not continue?

Finally, LED floodlights are very popular in communities and have sparked a conversation on the importance of LED in energy efficiency. Is it true that the SEAI will stop providing grants to community sports groups for LED floodlights?