Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the Minister about the figures for subsidies for renewables in general because the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in 2014 stated that 10% of the public service obligation, PSO, levy we all pay on our electricity bills goes to renewables and that the vast bulk actually goes to fossil fuel sources, not renewables. I would argue that this is a real tragedy and I am sceptical, therefore, about the project. It is brilliant there is a move towards this but I am disappointed to hear it is just €5 million between the two companies. I do not believe the Minister has a commitment to solar energy. In an address last November, apparently, he all but ruled out the adoption of solar energy, warning that the technology could quadruple the levy paid by consumers on their ESB bills.

5 o’clock

However, the Minister cited figures showing that solar energy costs are decreasing and sounded more enthusiastic than previously about its potential in terms of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, we are failing to support the science of solar energy. It is estimated that in 2014 the global bill for fossil fuels stood at €490 billion, while subsidies to aid the application of renewable energies stood at €112 billion. This lack of commitment globally is reflected in the lack of urgency the Government has shown to this source of renewable energy.

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