Mr. Jim Gannon:

I will make a couple of points on this aspect. We mentioned earlier potential legislative change to facilitate direct lines, which would allow large demand users to access proximate renewable energy generation and perhaps storage. On site right now, we do have the aggregators Mr. Melvin mentioned and the clean energy package. Again, we have a new team set up to implement this endeavour at greater speed. This is for individuals and communities, and small-scale industries in particular, including non-conventional industry. Reference was made to large energy users that might have been here before. If we look at the demand-side strategy being articulated in the climate action plan, and the regard being given to self-generation in particular, these are the sorts of questions that need to be asked and where policy could be put in place.

I reinforce what I said earlier regarding a demand-side strategy. There are certain levers that a regulator has and certain levers in respect of incentives we do not have. We can facilitate connection and engagement with the market through aggregators. That is already facilitated but we can seek to improve it. Capital grants and other bonus incentives for industry, and funding from the central Exchequer, are matters for other Departments to provide for public infrastructure and public services. The responsibility might fall to enterprise agencies to provide funding and incentives in the private sector. The demand-side strategy and self-generation in the climate action plan will look at this area. It needs to be driven along. Real success and acceleration of businesses, public and private, to allow them bring what they can to decarbonisation, security of supply and a reduction of cost for all, and the benefits of that, will require a multi-agency approach. Multiple Departments are going to have to get involved and drive it along.