Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I would like to hear answers to Deputy Stanton's questions because we did not receive them in the Minister's reply. Going back to the ESB to ask it why there has not been more take-up on this scheme is not necessarily the way forward. For a start, it is not in the interests of the ESB to facilitate large-scale decentralisation of power generation.

I reiterate a specific question that was asked already. The key to building a successful microgeneration industry in other countries that have been successful - Germany is probably the best example but France and, more recently, Britain can be included - is the level of export tariff set. A tariff of 19 cent per kilowatt hour for the first 3,000 units is significantly less than the tariff made available in other countries to kickstart this industry and is in spite of the fact that Ireland has much better climatic conditions for microgeneration, in particular wind, but also bio-mass generation. Will the Minister review the rate of 19 cent per kilowatt hour for the first 3,000 units with a view to raising it for a period? It would significantly kickstart this industry which could employ a great number of people.

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