Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I know the Deputy would prefer to have all the information. What am I doing to protect our indigenous wind resources? Potentially, we have the capacity to generate perhaps twice our own requirement. We would only do this if we had a market for the excess; otherwise, there would be no point. Generally speaking, one cannot store electricity. If there were a market then there would be potential for us to develop an export sector in this area.

I have been involved in discussions for some time with my opposite number in Britain. The objective is to conclude a memorandum of understanding by the end of this year to facilitate export from this island to the neighbouring island. Theoretically, it could be a win-win situation if we can generate excess renewable energy in this island and if the neighbouring island has a need for energy and a requirement to meet renewable energy targets. What is in it for Ireland? I assure the Deputy that it is not my intention that Ireland will get some jobs in construction and making the sandwiches. That is not the approach I am taking. I trust we will be able to make an agreement whereby the State retains a share of the renewable energy value or imposes some type of royalty.

It is somewhat unfair of the Deputy to seek to slander the particular company she mentioned. She alleges there are people with Labour Party membership in their present or past and that they are trying to rip off the wind. Eddie O'Connor has a proud tradition in this country, whether as an engineer in the ESB, as chief executive of Bord na Móna, as the founder and creator of Airtricity or, now, as the founder of Mainstream Renewable Power.

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