Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I might pick up on two examples the Deputy mentioned, which I very much agree we could, and should, advance. He mentioned a smart metering programme. As I said earlier in response to Deputy Leddin, the Oireachtas committee a few days ago discussed the idea of time-of-day pricing, whereby it would be possible to shift the demand. For example, if there is a load for the washing machine or the dryer, the power could be less expensive later in the day when there is less demand for fossil fuels. That is one measure which, if we work with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and the Department, we could accelerate and introduce as an emergency response. The Deputy is correct in that regard.

He went on to mention food waste. This week, the Cabinet agreed the general scheme of the circular economy Bill, which has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny and we now have to implement. It will implement the waste action plan, which recommended 200 actions. It relates to reducing not just fuels but also materials. Being efficient in everything we do is going to give us protection. Included in the Bill will be a new food waste strategy. We will really double down to make sure we do not waste food. At a time food is expensive and the world is at risk of running short of grain and other basic supplies, that is exactly the sort of measure we should accelerate.

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