Dr. Ciaran Byrne:

These are difficult projects because they involve community groups that are not used to this. There are many speed bumps on the journey. One of the learnings we have taken, for example, in the development of our one-stop shop schemes is to take that design thinking outside-in approach. Oftentimes we put in regulations, schemes and rules, and that works in certain scenarios, but for other scenarios we have to turn them on their head and ask what we need to undo or do to make them happen rather than regulate them. Taking that type of approach to the RESS is what we are about when we work with the Department. My two colleagues and myself are only at front-end of it in that we have seven applicants in the first auction and are making our way through that process. As of last Friday, we have another nine successful candidates that are also making their way through the process. As I said in the opening statement, SEAI has always prided itself on being innovative, creative and working with communities so we will certainly take the Deputy's point on board.