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

I thank the Minister for being here. I made the point about the climate action plan coming out from the Bill that, whatever our criticisms of the contents or the policy decisions, the fact we have it is probably as good a measure of progress as there is in many of these institutions. It is an important feature and to be commended and welcomed.

I want to pick up on a point Deputy Bruton made about planning. After questions on foreign affairs, we will go on to Second Stage of the planning legislation which is huge and complex.

We have already pointed out the challenges in the formal planning system regarding planners, environmental NGOs and notifiable bodies and both sides of these considerations. There were provisions in the renewables directive that almost gave a green light for the fast-tracking of renewables projects, and there are risks associated with that. Other countries have taken a different approach. Can I get a sense of where that is going? Is Ireland going to employe any of those opportunities or licences?

I ask about the planning Bill that is going through the Houses, the resourcing of the planning system, and the regional renewable spatial plans that are due to be ready. I believe they are already late at this stage.

I also raise the issue of maximising the potential the grid and the hybrid policy, given that hybrid connections were mentioned in the energy security review.