John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's reply. Will the Minister concede that comments made in January by Mr. Tom Reeves, the regulator, that he was unconvinced of the need for additional support for the wind energy sector, has led to something of a crisis of confidence in the renewable energy sector? I welcome the Minister's reference to the EU allowances and the tax break is very important. Will the Minister state what he believes to be the necessary level of support that would be adequate to kick-start this again? Wind energy can offer an independent energy source to divert us from dependence on gas from the North Sea. Spain has a thriving wind energy industry employing 25,000 people. Ireland has the capacity to produce 80,000 MW of electricity from wind with a current peak demand of 4,500 MW. Will the Minister agree there could be a potential for export in this important sector? Is there a possibility of introducing more competition into the market which will reduce costs?

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