Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The difficulty with the UK model is that the level of subsidy involved has been significant. As a result the UK has dramatically reduced the level of subsidy for renewable energy so it is not actually a good model. I think there are good models abroad and we need to be open to those. I am open-minded to all of the technologies.

The Deputy is correct when he says there will be a range of solutions. I do not think we should put all our eggs in one basket. If the industry can come forward with better figures than those I will be open to them. Recently, the industry has been engaging with my officials in the Department who are working on the new support scheme. Given that we are talking about the issue of peat and the semi-State company that is close to both our hearts, Bord na Móna is exploring the co-locating of wind farms with solar farms to take account of the counter cyclical nature of these technologies. Wind is very strong during the short winter days and solar prevails during the longer summer days. Given that Ireland is so far north in relation to the hemisphere we have a significant amount of daylight. Daylight is what is important rather than sun. Perhaps the cost-benefit analysis needs to be tweaked to take account of that. I am open to the idea. I want to see different technologies being developed but I need to ensure I am not placing an unnecessary burden on consumers.

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