Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

Similarly, as Deputy Durkan has stated, vehicles with a lower rate of efficiency would be penalised with a higher rate of VRT. We would amend the national spatial strategy to include major renewable energy infrastructure projects and would include such projects in regional development plans.

We would propose the provision of a new community dividend to act as compensation for those communities located close to important infrastructure that aids the entire country to reach its alternative energy commitments. We would move towards generating 33% of Ireland's electricity needs from renewable sources. Deputy Durkan has already outlined the value of wind-produced energy.

We would mix direct State investment with a regulatory regime which would give national grid access to renewable sources above all others. We would prioritise the creation of a network of wind turbines to harness the potential of wind energy which in this country is estimated to be the best in the European Union. We would consider a complete separation of the ESB from the national grid to ensure a level playing field for all energy suppliers. We would increase funding for research and development in the offshore hydroelectric sector to ensure that established targets are met.

We would increase the funding available to Energy Action and all those similarly engaged in the specifically focused target of bringing existing housing stock up to the insulation standards of newly built homes. In that regard, much energy could be saved by the installation of proper insulation and standards in homes, particularly in those older homes built 20, 30 or more years ago.

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