Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I suspect I agree with the Minister when I say that micro-generation and the decentralisation of energy generation generally is a significant opportunity for job creation. The key element of this is the export tariff that people can get by supplying power from micro-generators back to the electricity grid. My understanding at the moment is that the proposition from the ESB is to pay 9 cent per kilowatt hour. This does not compare favourably to what is on offer in other parts of Europe. That is about as charitable as I can be. In France, the equivalent figure is 45 cent per kilowatt hour. We are a long way from agreement on the right tariff. Will the Minister give his view on whether the recent ESB proposed tariff is appropriate?

Second, the Minister is true to form with regard to net metering. In November 2007, he announced that 25,000 homes would have net meters installed in a pilot project, while in September 2008 he said it would be 21,000 customers. To date, how many smart meters have been installed and are functioning in homes? Am I correct that under the timeframe the Minister has set we will have to wait until February 2011 to get some feedback on the findings of the pilot project in net metering?

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