Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

We must constantly review procedures to ensure we are delivering on our target to provide more secure, cheap and clean energy supplies. I take the point that we must constantly review the process. We must also examine what has gone wrong in the past. One of the reasons for our not developing as fast as we should was our stop-start policy. The moratorium introduced in 2005-06 had a huge negative effect on the financing of some of these projects resulting in the delays that took place. I am wary of adopting and then starting and stopping policy. The approach we are taking is working. I am told by Eirgrid that an expected 500 MW of wind is due to connect this year. This is what we need to do. To my mind, we need to achieve 500 MWs year-in year-out for the next seven to eight years. I would be reluctant to change policy on which there was consultation and in regard to which I spoke to the wind energy associations in terms of the advantages and disadvantages involved. Like the Deputy, I, too, wonder if this "first come first served basis" is the right approach in terms of assessing which projects are in the Gate and which are not. While the industry agrees there are difficulties with the approach it is by and large the best in terms of getting wind turbines or stations built. There are real problems in getting Gate connections, planning permission and the financing required. However, it is happening.

Given the market is working and delivering at this time the 500 MW a year that we need and the Gate system allows us to at least plan the development of our grid, which is the crucial constraint, I ask that the Deputy support the current approach.

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