Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 11, to delete lines 10 to 13 and substitute the following:

“(a) €100 per megawatt hour for electricity produced from the source referred to in paragraph (a), (b)or (g)in section 7,

(b) €120 per megawatt hour for electricity produced from the source referred to in paragraph (d)of section 7,

(c) €180 per megawatt hour for electricity produced from the source referred to in paragraph (c), (f), or (h)of section 7, and”.

The effect of this would be to reduce the cap on wind and solar from €120 to €100. When we look at the cap for the REFIT scheme, for example, we have an assessment of what is a profitable point for wind and solar through REFIT and it is significantly below €120, so there is scope to go further on this while at the same time sending the signal and protecting the future viability of the sector. I note it is also the threshold that the French Government has applied in regard to wind, solar and nuclear. That is the rationale. I think there is scope to go further. This amendment would go further and raise a return for the Irish taxpayer which could then be used to support people over this winter and the time ahead.