Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

We are committed to ensuring that microgeneration works and we have demonstrated his commitment by a series of delivered measures, including changes to planning regulations to make easier for people to construct microgeneration facilities.

The grant scheme is being considered by Sustainable Energy Ireland to ensure we get the standards right and avoid an industry developing on poor standards which does not take off on the long run. Between 12 and 18 months ago, the ESB, encouraged by me, agreed to introduce a price of up to 19 cent. Previously, one could not even sell back into the system.

When progress is not being made as fast as I would like, we will test the scheme and introduce a revised one. I will do my best to get the scheme right before introducing it. The scheme is not yet right because this is a technical and complex matter. We are committed, however, to adding further measures to those we have consistently introduced over the past three years.

See this speech in context