Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Returning to the issue of solar, I am a TD. TDs are well paid. We get the same pay as principal officers in the public service. People, particularly if they have a young family will always be trying to find out where they can get that €9,000 or €10,000 for solar panels. It would be great if there was some zero-interest loan that people could get. Many people would like to put in solar panels, but an outlay of €10,000 is a problem. With a zero-interest loan, if they were struggling with repayments, the money might come from whatever they are selling back to the grid. The €10,000 or €12,000 is off-putting for many people. I know most people have it, but many others would love to put in solar. The local credit union might charge 9%, and in most cases people will not get loans from their banks.

It may be something with which we could assist so there would be zero interest. The Minister of State can tell me whether there are any views on that.