Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to the House to debate the introduction of a renewable heat incentive scheme. The public consultation on the design and implementation of this scheme closed at the end of March. This is a very important scheme, which if introduced in the right way could potentially reduce heating costs for farmers, big business and small and medium enterprises but they need to be supported and the scheme incentivised. It is also important that there is a sufficient supply of biomass to ensure the scheme is successful. There are many issues arising in relation to this scheme. It has been talked about for a long time. It is needed, particularly for businesses whose margins in light of Brexit are ever decreasing. This is an important issue.

Another important issue is the renewable electricity support scheme. If we are to meet our renewable electricity targets, and if they are to be meaningful for communities and individuals, we will need to support micro-generation, be it wind, solar and so on. There is a plan being considered by the Department, about which I would like to hear more. While we need big companies investing in renewable energy, we also need to bring communities and individuals along with us so that everybody benefits and our renewable electricity and heating targets are achieved.