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

I got reasonable news in the form of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's, SEAI's, feasibility study on shallow geothermal heat sources to replace the gas communal system that is operational in Carlinn Hall, Dundalk. Obviously, this would be applicable in many of these types of scenarios. I have stated previously that these are almost the Achilles heel in relation to district heating, which we need to see in play. There will be legislative changes needed to make sure that we do not continue with these gas-fed systems but I think we would all say that geothermal is one of the ways to go. There will be short, medium and long-term recommendations. As I say, the sooner it happens in October, the better. The Ministers have said that they will work with those necessary stakeholders. We need to ensure that there is a grant scheme that will be applicable because that will involve management companies, residents and the likes of Frontline Energy. We need to deliver for these people, given the huge costs. We all will be aware of the environmental disaster that is these gas-fed systems.

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