Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If we used those semi-State organisations more and brought them into the generation game, we would not be as vulnerable to the outworkings of Mr. Putin's illegal war. I just want to highlight that.

It is a question of policy but from an official point of view we should do anything that can be done to accelerate that. We will see jobs and power coming over the next few years as that starts to work itself out. We need to drive that on with gusto; do not mind the ideology or anything like that. Bord na Móna and the ESB can increase their share of it. I have made the same comment to the people in government as well. Whoever is in government needs to do that.

We require some information from the witnesses. We have covered wide areas such as the SEAI grants and broadband. These are the two biggest spending areas and they are going to increase. It is evident why there is intense interest from committee members in it. I thank the witnesses from the Departments of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Public Expenditure and Reform for attending today, and the committee's staff for preparing for the meeting. I also thank Mr. McCarthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and Ms Duane, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, for attending, and also their staff for their background information and briefing notes. Is it agreed that the clerk to the committee can seek any follow-up information and carry out the agreed action? Agreed. Is it also agreed that we note and publish the opening statements and briefing provided for today's meeting? Agreed.