Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Deputy Stanley, on tabling the Bill. Many Bills have passed through the House over the years. Deputy Stanley's Bill offers thought-out solutions and a great opportunity for households to become involved in microgeneration. It addresses ecological issues and climate change and makes people more aware of what we need and what we have to do.

There are always choices and the Bill offers an alternative to the corporate companies that have had a free run for years. It would provide an opportunity for sports clubs, community centres, community groups and possibly even voluntary housing estates to become partially self-sustainable or reduce their costs, which is an excellent idea. It is unusual to speak on a microgeneration scheme Bill. Next Monday, I will be in Midleton to attend a climate change forum, at which I have no doubt this legislation will be discussed in detail.

Previous speakers covered most of the issues. This is a wonderful solution and an opportunity to raise the issue of climate change. We have seen many Bills that, unfortunately, have gathered dust on a shelf. This is what I am worried about. We want the Bill to go through but we want action on it. I ask everybody in the House to support it.

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