Mr. Paddy Phelan:

I thank Senator Gavan. Stepping right back from the technology listings, I note that technology is key to converting any vector of energy into another form. The efficiency with which we do that will be critical to its ability to roll out. In a sense, when you analyse a list, it is quite dangerous to list specific technologies. Through innovation, simple thermodynamics and the conversion of energy from one form to another, such as from solid, liquid or gas, it is important to acknowledge the criteria around which it is classified as renewable and, if possible, we must extend the exemptions around it.

Elements of the Act, such as job creation in bioenergy and other forms, will have particular benefits for rural regions of Europe and Ireland. As I mentioned, we need to look not just at the price-based option system that are mentioned in the Act. There are some notes in the Act about the capacity to give scoring leverage to those who may create further employment or further skills that are to be retained and sustained, particularly within rural regions.

Technology-wise, it is clear and obvious that bioenergy and general forms of solid and liquid energies are at issue. Within the gambit of the Irish Bioenergy Association, there is the obvious role that bioenergy and all the forms can speak to.

The other key element is that we must not pitch different technologies in different sectors against each other. I as, a founding member and board member of Renewable Energy Ireland, want to highlight the importance of sector coupling. This acknowledges that all of these technologies can work together and, if they do so, they will do so at a much faster pace, which is an underlying foundation of the Act. That is to expedite or accelerate our transition to a lower-carbon energy economy. I make that key point, rather than getting into specifics. There are many missing that are out, but the obvious ones, as we noted, are bioenergy solids and liquids.