Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for very comprehensive presentations at this tense time.

They mentioned the issue of conveying the message that there is a threat to our critical infrastructure and national grid. Mr. Fitzgerald mentioned the €2,400 grant for households to install solar panels on roofs. Many of the people who come into my office cannot afford the upfront fee so they cannot apply for the grant. If the worse came to the worst, I do not want a situation whereby the wealthier people in society have access to electricity but not ordinary middle-income earners and working people. I thank the witnesses for their interesting presentations but we must convey their message to ordinary people. How can we convey the message? I ask because it is easier to communicate with businesses than with people at home who are just getting on with their lives, and working to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Regarding resilience, how can we make people more aware of that? What does IIEA think we should do?

I was a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Action and the committee discussed brownouts and blackouts but we never discussed the possibility of a threat to the national grid that might lead to people not being able to get power from the plugs or whatever in their homes. It is imperative that we convey the importance of producing our own power. Does the IIEA recommend that the Government makes it easier, perhaps by providing interest-free loans to people who cannot afford the upfront costs to install solar panels?