Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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The future will be thousands of micro-generators along with some of the bigger ones. That is the reality as we move away from the use of fossil fuels. At present, a queue of entities are waiting to get onto the national grid but they cannot get onto it. Methane gas is being flared, burnt off and going into the atmosphere from landfill sites because it cannot be used. I fail to see, and the Minister has not explained, how facilitating microgeneration of electricity will conflict with our EU masters' position. The Minister says he wishes to facilitate communities, co-operatives and small businesses in microgeneration. I realise it is important that we pass this Bill. I am aware of the reasons for doing so and Sinn Féin supports that. However, it is a missed opportunity if we do not facilitate the smaller generators to connect.