Mr. Dermot Nolan:

We have set targets for renewable energy, and 40% of our electricity by 2020 must come from a renewable source. That is a binding EU target. If we do not meet that target we will be susceptible to fines. It is Government policy to meet the target. Most renewable energy generation in Ireland is created by wind turbines and for good or ill, wind turbines are far more efficient in the west, and the north west in particular. Therefore that is where they are likely to be built.

I see the point the Deputy is making, but it would not be as efficient to locate wind turbines on the east coast and would be far less likely to meet the renewable target. We may be left with a situation, whereby the logical place to locate renewable wind generation is in the west but most of the demand is in the east, we may need to build such pylons. We will try to minimise this as much we can.

I will ask my colleague Mr. Garret Blaney to respond further.