Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I take it the report will be published shortly, whenever that will be. It is vital the report is comprehensive and that we know the facts. There have been reports in a number of other European countries where subsidies towards renewable energy have led to significant increases in household bills for consumers. We are in a situation where a huge investment needs to take place in the transmission network in order to facilitate the development of wind energy across the country. When we consider that EirGrid intends to spend over almost €4 billion upgrading the transmission network to facilitate wind energy, this seems to be a costly exercise, particularly when there are other technologies available, such as biomass, which could be used to meet the targets without the need for the massive infrastructural investment.

Will the report examine the impact this will have on consumers' bills? Will it provide a breakdown of the impact as costs are passed on to the consumer? It is vital consumers are made fully aware of this.

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