Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I will not rake over old ground and refer to our frustration with regard to a date not being provided. However, will the Minister outline his views on the putting together of an effective new support scheme for microgeneration? Will he indicate whether his Department intends to model any new scheme on what is being done in the UK, which essentially involves having a relatively low export tariff but a strong support system in order to encourage people to produce their own power, or in Germany, where a generous export tariff is supplied in respect of excess power that can be sold back to the grid but where fewer supports are provided in respect of producing one's own power? From a Fine Gael perspective, the British approach would appear to be more appropriate to Ireland. It would be useful if the Minister could indicate the direction in which his Department intends to move.

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