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

We introduced the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill to curtail the export of renewable energy while, as a nation, we are so reliant on fossil fuels. From reports, it seems the British Government was not willing to pay the price. People are uncertain, as the Dáil and I are uncertain, as to whether the negotiations are about securing our energy needs or making the economic part a little more attractive for the Irish Government. Does the Minister believe fresh negotiations are the objective and that they would produce a better price deal than the one, whatever it was? Renewable energy generation has to be a driving force if we are to attain energy security, but this has to be done in conjunction with local communities, which clearly was not being done. It must also be done by looking at every available option open to the Government in terms of renewable energy, given that there are other energy sources such as wind energy, biomass, tidal energy and so on. Is the Minister looking at these alternative sources, as well as waiting for a resumption of negotiations on a memorandum of understanding?

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