Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I thank our guests for their presentations. The issue of offshore wind energy is one in which I am interested. I was looking at the Arklow project about a year ago. It is very interesting. Will Mr. Wheeler tell me how much Government support was available for the project which involved the use of seven turbines in Arklow? Should there be more Government initiatives in developing the offshore sector?

I also want to ask Mr. Wheeler for his views on the issue of planning permission. Many agencies have to be dealt with when multiple consents are needed. Scotland has a simpler more streamlined system involving the use of one agency. Sinn Féin sees wind energy as part of the solution, but we have a concern about its intermittent nature. I know that there are differing views, depending on to whom one talks. At different times we have had different views at this committee also. However, there are two problems. One is that on the nights of the two big freezes five and six years ago there was no wind. The temperature was -16 degrees Celsius in the area in which I live. The other aspect is the potential overheating of the grid because of power surges. How can this be regulated? There is a view in the electricity industry that only so much wind energy can be handled.

The project in Tipperary is interesting. The full cost, as stated in the presentation, is €33,000. I have been raising the issue of deep retrofitting. A lot of homes have some insulation. Unfortunately, there is none in some houses dating from the 1800s and early 1900s which means that an elderly person may be living in a house with no insulation. The heat is flying out through the windows and doors. It is an issue we have to tackle.

The construction industry has left not only a financial hangover but also an energy hangover. Most of what was done was bloody awful. I have talked to people who have climbed into the attic of their rented accommodation which was built in 2006 and 2007 only to discover there is no insulation. Insulation is also missing from some of the walls. It is dreadful stuff. How does Mr. Kenny see the cost being funded? Does he see a role for a green bond type system? In other words, pension funds or the credit unions which have funds of between €8 billion and €11 billion might provide funding for an upfront grants scheme? The funds would be paid back over time with some interest on top. There would be a premium to make it attractive. Not too many people can put their hands in their pocket and pull out €33,000, particularly if they are paying a mortgage, etc.

I recently introduced a Bill on microgeneration which refers specifically to solar energy. Students might be interested in having a look at it. I would be interested in hearing their views on that Sinn Féin Bill. Political support might be generated from other parties to try to get it through the House, something we would also welcome. However, what other renewable resources do the delegates believe could be used? Solar energy has been mentioned, with solar panels on a roof, but I can see them having very little effect in some places. On what can we make the big win fairly quickly? There is no quick fix.