Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With respect to the Minister, I believe 2017 is too late. We have already dealt with the difficulties Ireland is experiencing in meeting its targets. As the Minister knows well, the scheme is unavailable in the case of many of the new important technologies in the generation of solar and offshore wind power. That makes Ireland one of the outliers among its European peers. Homeowners in other jurisdictions are able to make money from solar panels using feed-in tariffs. On a larger scale, the REFIT tariffs can expedite the adaption of technology by providing an added incentive for investors. I fail to understand the reason for the delays in the light of the fact that we have known about the necessity to have feed-in tariffs if we are to advance in line with the growth in technologies. It is well recognised that the cost of solar panels has reduced very significantly. We need to look at other options for offshore wind projects because of the difficulties in addressing planning matters. It is very clear that there is no immediate strategy to address the opportunities provided and all the while we are moving towards 2020. Ireland will not be in a position to meet its targets and we will have to pay fines on the other side.

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