Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank both of the witnesses. Everybody is saying the same thing. We attend many meetings but the clarity of their answers and the scope and breadth of their knowledge is coupled with the ability to share it in a way that I understand. I thank them for that.

I have one or two brief questions. What is the possibility of small co-operative windfarms or even individual turbines perhaps on a person's own land? Are there issues around supply of materials or technology? You see the odd one. What is the feasibility of that either for individuals or for communities? At one time I visited the one in Tipperary and I was impressed with that but it took forever, about ten years, until they could get it up and running. I am talking about small scale.

The other point is on smart meters. I just got that installed and I have not mastered the technology yet but there seems to be some concern, and the witnesses may or may not be able to comment on this, that they are not delivering for consumers in the way they should. In some cases it can actually cost people more. I am sorry I do not have more detail on that. If the witnesses do not have more detail I understand that they cannot answer the question. I have been hearing about that in the media. Finally on the issue of data centres where Dr. Deane talks about the type of data centre, I hear what he is saying but is he including the idea that they would produce their own renewable electricity? Is that an important part of it? If they use renewables then they are hooked into the system, but is Dr. Deane talking about them producing their own?