Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The vast majority of people out there accept the absolute reality of climate change and the need to act. I do not think there is anyone here who can in any way understand the madness of what we are seeing in Germany, where a village is being demolished for a coal mine and coal-produced electricity.

Nobody considers that will be a viable solution into the future. We must look at ourselves and ensure we can make Ireland a wind powerhouse and not only say it in this Chamber. That requires a planning process that works and is properly resourced.

If we are talking about sustainability, I do not think anybody would like to defend the potential deal between Coillte and Gresham House. It is a terrible deal for Ireland and it needs to be revisited before there is even a chance of it happening. People will talk about issues in respect of state aid rules. That means we need to have a conversation with the European Commission. The proposed deal is hardly a solution. We have all spoken about a retrofit plan that will work for people. Those who are in most need of such a plan are those who do not have the resources to put €25,000 on the table. That is what we are talking about.

I once again raise the issue of Carlinn Hall and communal heating systems. I welcome the fact that a geothermal feasibility study has occurred. Indications are good. The people concerned are paying anywhere between 42 cent and 47 cent per kWh. The systems are mad. They are gas-fired heating systems that in no way work. The associated inefficiencies are huge and are probably increasing as people try not to use the system. That creates its own difficulties. We must ensure that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, has a grant scheme that can deliver, whether through geothermal solutions or a return to woodchip. We must ensure that people are not paying ridiculous rates. We have a wider issue in respect of the cost of electricity that needs to be dealt with but the Minister of State knows the particular issues relating to communal heating systems also need to be dealt with.

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