Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch as an deis cúpla focail a rá ar an mBille seo agus caithfidh mé moladh mór a thabhairt don Teachta Stanley fá choinne an mBille seo a thabhairt os comhair an Tí anocht. Tréaslaím leis an méid atá déanta aige agus na focail atá ráite aige anseo inniu.

As we heard from Deputy Stanley, the significance of the Bill cannot be overstated. If enacted, it has the potential to reduce the energy bills for countless households across the State. It is timely and important, and it will provide for direct payments to householders in return for excess electricity produced on site, which will be redirected to the national grid via the main supply.

Individual householders stand to benefit as well as the climate. It is a win-win scenario for both where not only will this initiative incentivise property owners to embrace the plethora of renewable energy options available today, but microgeneration and the return of excess power to the wider grid will have several positive outcomes. I hope, therefore, the House will agree and support the Bill and allow it to pass to Committee Stage.

The practice will have the effect of broadening the State's renewable energy portfolio, thus further reducing our dependency on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Similarly, and this point should not be overlooked, the expansion of microgeneration and the export of surplus electricity to the network will ensure future needs are met and the State has a reliable supply in coming years. Time and again, research shows that on-site microgeneration can dramatically balance the supply and demand for electric power because by producing more power during periods of high demand and less during periods of low demand, the hybridised grid allows for microgeneration systems and large power plants to operate with greater energy efficiency and cost effectiveness than could be otherwise achieved.

I regret that the State is failing to meet its climate change obligations and the position is unlikely to change without serious action. This Bill can form part of that. Irish households produce 60% more emissions than the European Union average. This initiative will help to grow an alternative energy source, having the effect of lowering our carbon footprint and reducing costs for electricity consumers and householders whose disposable income is already tightly squeezed at the end of the week.

I am pleased that the objectives set out in Deputy Stanley's Bill have received the backing of organisations such as Friends of the Earth, Stop Climate Chaos, An Taisce and Trócaire, to name but a few. I am delighted, therefore, to add my support and that of the Sinn Féin party to this important legislation. I call on the Government, all other parties and Independent Deputies to support the Bill. Let us make a positive contribution to households, climate and energy policy, while reducing costs for people who are struggling with energy prices that are among the highest in Europe.

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