Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In 2008, the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government introduced the first scheme to support microgeneration, but virtually nothing has happened in the ten years since. A golden opportunity has been lost in those ten years considering what we now face in the 2020 targets which will unquestionably cause serious difficulties for Ireland, particularly financially. I have no doubt that if microgeneration had been expanded and worked on over the decade, there would have been very significant input from the Irish public. I see correspondence coming in via email from across my constituency which demonstrates the massive level of interest in renewable energy and climate change. It is not just coming from what one might call a few radical students, it is coming from every section of the community, including farmers. There is grave concern among people as to where we have been for so many years and at the opportunity we have lost.

I commend Deputy Stanley and Sinn Féin on bringing forward the Bill which Fianna Fáil will support. In the few minutes I have, I intend to reflect on renewable energy, particularly from wind. Deputies Fitzmaurice, Naughten and I attended only last night a meeting related to a bit of controversy on wind turbines. Everyone in that hall had an interest in renewable energy but they all want to know where the guidelines on wind energy are. The lack of response on that issue and the constant delay in bringing legislation forward to put the guidelines on a proper footing is damaging renewable area as a sector.

Ireland's 2020 renewable energy targets include increasing the share of final energy consumption from renewable energy sources to 16% as set out in the renewable energy directive. The target is broken into three key sectors with individual 2020 targets for each. As such, Ireland has committed to meet this national target through 40% renewable electricity, 12% renewable heat and 10% renewable transport. The overall renewable energy target and the renewable transport target are both binding at EU level. Ireland is likely to fall very far short of the binding target. People like Paul Deane of UCC reckon we will have huge fines to pay, perhaps of the order of €300 million. The Government estimates the level of fines at €100 million. Another expert, Mr. Joseph Curtin, says we could face bills and penalties of between €600 million and €700 million. If we had developed this from 2008, we would not be facing what we are in 2020. That is a highly regrettable matter.

I am glad to support the Bill. It is a good step forward. I hope the Government will move with the Opposition parties to make this a top priority and ensure it happens as soon as possible.

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