Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

That relates to the earlier conversation on why that additional 2 GW was included in the sectoral emission agreements by the Government. It is to push and promote turning electrons into molecules, as a way of describing it, be that hydrogen, ammonia, methanol or other mechanisms.

With regard to planning, there is an example, which Mr. Gannon mentioned earlier, which is our emergency purchasing of this back-up gas generation. We have availed of section 181 of the Planning and Development Act to make sure it proceeds in a manner that will allow us to deliver it for the winter of 2023-24. The review of the Planning and Development Act that was mentioned earlier is critical because part of the problem is that our European rules in planning are, to my mind correctly, there to support good protection of the natural world. However, in our planning system, the planning laws have been revised so many times that the position is often complex and contradictory. That leaves it open to judicial challenge and to a whole range of other measures that stop development. That planning review is therefore critical. I do not believe, however, that we should abandon the fundamental principles of protecting the environment at the same time. Much as I would love to see those 70 turbines in Derrybrien turning to get us through this process and period, the considered view, having looked at it and considered it in real detail, is that we cannot ignore issues. This goes back to what I said earlier on in respect of the State, which is that you stick to what you say. The example of Derrybrien was a significant, specific example of the non-application of good environmental planning and practice. We cannot ignore that. We cannot go against the European rules. It was therefore decided not to proceed and not to ignore the court judgment.

On a couple of specific issues, part of the solution here is the new generation that will help us through. Edenderry is running as a biomass plant, although I cannot remember the exact size. I think it is 100 MW. That will be running 24-7 on a biomass basis if it is on the merit order. With regard to the heat pumps, we are introducing a pilot scheme for heat pumps under the warmer homes scheme this year. Increasingly, we have to stop putting in any new fossil fuel boilers.