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

It is, so we must move quickly. According to the projections available to me, however, we will meet our 2020 electricity targets. The main challenge for us will be heat. For this reason, priority within my Department has been given to the renewable heat incentive scheme, which we want to get operational as soon as possible. Once it is, our focus will move to the electricity sector.

We do not want to make the mistakes that have been made elsewhere. Otherwise, Deputy Dooley would rightly lecture me. We saw what happened when Northern Ireland moved too quickly on the renewable heat incentive scheme. We have seen what has happened in other member states that did not put the proper checks and balances in place. I want to establish a renewables scheme that supports a range of options, is fair and balanced and does not leave the Exchequer or, more importantly, electricity users footing an inordinate cost.

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