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

I appreciate that. In fairness, I welcome that the feasibility study was carried out by SEAI with regard to geothermal and heat pump technology to replace what is in the gas-fed system. We all know the issue that 50% was lost. It used to take two units of gas to provide one unit of heat and that there was a loss in the system. I met the SEAI and am very happy it is willing to facilitate the possibilities. We are now looking at third-party companies from a point of view of putting a proposal together. There will be a need for a greater level of analysis to be carried out. It is just making sure that if necessary, with regard to any governmental pieces, I think we are looking at a grant scheme similar to what would be offered to biomass. I do not think it is as straightforward but it can be done because we know this is not good from an environmental point of view. It is the almost the Achilles heel of district heating systems, which we all welcome. We need to look at one of these types of solutions or, in a perfect world, a district heating solution that would be perfect. There are possibilities here. My intention is that between the management company, others, some of this third-party expertise and myself that we can put a proposal together. If the residents are reasonably happy with it, it can be put together with all the funding schemes and all of those necessary parts that could improve the system.

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