Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One cannot go to a community and say, "This is going to be the way, and you have to accept that." Mistakes were made on the part of private industry, but I am certainly not going to speak on its behalf. We have to learn from the mistakes that were made and bring communities with us. Communities have to be at the heart of the solution for sustainable rural economic models. That is why it is important that the Department of the Environment and Local Government is going to have a role in ensuring that the proper and thorough processes are adhered to so that we do not have communities feeling upset and disenfranchised in that they are not getting a dividend.

We have to look at all the alternative potential, be it tidal energy, offshore wind or the Deputy's own suggestions of biomass. We have to look at the complete mix. We are importing 100% of our oil and 95% of our gas - which will change in a few months' time - and we have such a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly considering the percentage mix in the 2020 targets for renewable energy. I know the Minister, Deputy White, is on the same page as me in believing that communities have to be at the heart of the solution, in terms of ensuring it is acceptable to communities and that they feel part of the dividend as well.

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