Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I thank everyone involved in arranging for the taking of statements. I have continually raised the issue on the Order of Business for a particular reason. For months we have had negativity in the international media and people have been trying to talk down Ireland. We, undoubtedly, have difficulties, but we also have great potential to find solutions to the challenges we face.

Without needing to look at the Press Gallery, as usual there is not huge interest in the statements being made. However, renewable energy production is one of the most important issues to be considered at this critical time for the economy. I acknowledge the good work done in this regard by Senator Butler who is present in the Chamber.

Ireland is being portrayed as an economic basket case. I do not agree with this portrayal, given that we will be funded well into next year and the four year plan will take us out of our current difficulties. If we are perceived as a basket case, will the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, explain why we are not waving a flag and saying that, although we are in difficulty, Europe will be like the rest of the world by 2015, that is, in trouble in the supply of energy?

In the renewable energy sector, of all countries, Ireland has an opportunity not only to provide energy to meet its own needs but also to be a major energy exporter. I do not understand why we are not using this as leverage to attract positive press coverage in those European countries which are experiencing turmoil and looking to see what our strengths are. We should be selling this straightforward message, but support and investment for projects are required. That said, there has already been much investment, not only in the private sector but also within European structures.

The Spirit of Ireland plan has been the source of much of my information. If someone gives me information, I always say someone else will be able to point me to an alternative source, but I am still awaiting in this instance for that to happen. It is important that we drive forward with what is being offered in the plan. Through investment, we can provide energy using renewable, clean and sustainable resources both for ourselves and the export market. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy White, to the ministerial chair. Until I read the documents from the Spirit of Ireland group, I was sceptical about Ireland being at the centre of the universe. Its plan refers to Ireland's potential in the context of wind and wave energy. This is a category 4 or 5 country and the only equivalent is somewhere in South America. One could say that at the best of times there is a lot of hot air in the House, but, if Ireland's potential in terms of wind and wave energy can be harnessed to meet our needs and those of the entire European Union community, given that nuclear powers plants are being closed down and an attempt is being made close coal pits, we should be grabbing our opportunities with both hands.

The most interesting elements of the Spirit of Ireland project are hydroelectricity generation and pumped storage. Wind energy production has its limitations and there are peaks and troughs, but the inclusion of a hydroelectrical component would balance things and give the project viability, which Senator O'Toole questioned. As the group seems to have done its homework, what we are discussing is the question of investment.

I put a point to those involved, one that is important where I come from. The subject of oil exploration has been controversial. It takes millions, possibly billions, of euro to explore for oil. One looks clever when one backs the winning horse but one needs to kiss many frogs before one meets one's prince. While I understand this concept, many members of the community sometimes do not. For this reason, I am interested in querying what is in the wind and wave energy project for the community. Community co-operatives are already involved, which is telling. It seems, therefore, that it is a win-win for both investor and local.

Recently I was canvassing in the Donegal South-West by-election campaign. It is wrong to make a plug for Senator Ó Domhnaill, but not too many watch proceedings in the Seanad live. I was canvassing on a particular road on which there were many wind farms. When I asked whether people objected to them, one man told me he could not say anything about them because one of his relatives had two windmills. When I asked about the return on them, I was told it was €11,000 per annum. A local person is getting something in return for the use of land that often is not used for anything else. I am, therefore, converted to the concept where it is a win-win for locals and investors in terms of employment creation, green energy, domestic usage, sustainability and exports. Other countries would be dependent on us as opposed to Ireland being dependent on them.

There are issues to do with planning permission. I refer to it as NIMBYism. A wind farm on the Foyle was being planned, but I am not 100% sure how the process stands. I would be interested in receiving information on it. The plan was to construct 90 30-storey windmills in the middle of the Foyle. When I asked what would happen if one of them collapsed or needed to be decommissioned, a popular word at the time, no one could answer the question. When I asked what would happen to the natural salmon fishery, I was told the smolts would be able to swim around the bases of the windmills which would be a good tourist attraction. We must be careful. While many locations are suitable for the construction of onshore and offshore wind farms, it is important that we are respectful towards sensitive areas.

Expanding grant aid for alternative energy projects in new housing would be brilliant. The warmer homes scheme has been beneficial in this regard.

Senator Hannigan referred to the production of biomass from willow. The Gilliland farm in Derry is one of the largest willow farms on the island and has been able to absorb a great deal of sewage for Derry City Council. Given that raw sewage runs into the Foyle from most areas from Derry onwards, it is about time there was a tertiary treatment plant. It is also important that we stop putting the making of decisions on the long finger. We must ensure projects are environmentally friendly. Where small communities could benefit, for example, through sewage being absorbed by a biomass system, we should maximise the potential of such projects.