Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The fundamental problem is that we simply do not have a national strategy for energy in Ireland, and in the absence of a good national strategy, we have companies who are setting the agenda. I find it extraordinary that after three years of discussions in respect of the memorandum of understanding, the Minister cannot quantify what the benefits will be to this country. I am aware he has said that we will have reached our renewable energy targets by 2020.

I do not believe we reached them in 2011 and 2012. I understand that in December the Commissioner waved a yellow card at us, and that we could be fined €20,000 per day because of our failure to reach targets. I do not know if that is true but it was certainly reported. I would like the Minister's comments on it.

The fundamental problem is that we do not have a strategy. The companies are doing the running and setting the agenda, and we will pay for it either financially or in terms of lost opportunities. We will be exporting green energy that we need ourselves.

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