Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I knew that Senator Moloney would not disagree with that. It is important that we are able to access this type of energy, but if the grid does not allow for such connections, it seems that the two arms of the policy are fighting against each other.

While there is no statutory distance regulations in the United Kingdom, the guidelines in place in Scotland are that no farms be located within 2 km of a dwelling house. Given that Scotland is a clear leader in this field, I suggest that bolsters the proposals in Senator Kelly's Bill.

On a broader level there is significant potential in renewable energy and that applies to wave power as well as to wind. Yet, in spite of our natural advantages, there has been comparatively little done to develop this sector. Given the current economic situation and the potential for job creation as well as addressing our energy needs, would the savings in import substitution that it would represent not suggest it ought to be prioritised?

I was in Canada recently where I saw the great work that is being done on tidal energy but what impressed me was that Canada has taken on a co-operative community model for developing renewable energy, which we should look at here. If a community group or a local co-operative wishes to set up a wind or a tidal turbine, there is grant aid available to set it up and in addition, the electricity is bought from the local community at a preferential rate. This helps the community to pay off the investment and invest any profits made after that into the local community. That is something we should look at in this country.

Scotland has set the bar very high on wind energy and I recommend that we follow its example. It has set ambitious targets for renewable energy production and is confident of not only becoming 100% self sufficient but exporting €2 billion worth of renewable energy annually by 2020. Given our geography and natural assets in terms of wind and wave - the Scots are concentrating mostly on wind power - we have a realistic target to aim at. We too ought to be aiming not only at becoming self sufficient in renewable energy but in becoming a net exporter within 20 to 25 years. That is an ambitious, and some might say unrealistic target, given that we are importing almost 90% of our energy requirements in the form of expensive and potentially unpredictably sourced fossil fuels. However, I believe it is well worth pursuing.

An méid sin ráite, ba mhaith liom tréaslú arís leis an Seanadóir faoin Bille a thabhairt chun cinn. Beidh muid ag tacú leis an Bille agus tá súil agam go mbeidh tacaíocht iomlán aige ó na comhleacaithe Rialtais.