Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned to previous Deputies that there is no formal or informal formula regarding the imposition of fines. This will require further discussion with the Commission. The Deputy will see in the NDP review that will be published by the middle of July not just the ambition but the finance behind acceleration of renewables onshore and offshore. This is why the Government decision about the accelerated DMAP is so critically important. There are five projects on the east coast we want to see under construction. They are all matters of further information request from An Coimisiún Pleanála. We want to see them go to construction. Later this year, we will have a further auction relating to onshore renewables. We have done very well on onshore renewables, with about 40% of our electricity generated through renewables last year . We are a leader in Europe on it but we can do more. We have a target of 80% of our electricity being generated through renewables by 2030. The projection shows us falling short of that but not significantly so. This is a gap we can look at making up. I have no formula regarding what fines would look like but I have asked officials to look at what they may look like. This is an opportunity for me to say, and I have said this to the Commission, should states be subject to financial impositions such as fines, I would regard that capital as being much better invested in the State's additional investment in climate measures, renewable energy and climate adaptation. That is the position Ireland will be taking subject to Government approval.