John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the provision of a net metering system for small scale renewable power generation systems; and the means he will take to encourage the development of such a facility in the electricity market here. [33488/06]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in regard to micro-generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33573/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 61 together.

The Government is committed to developing domestic scale renewable electricity and heat technologies. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has undertaken work on Metering Options for Small Scale Renewable and CHP Electricity Generation. The study identified a number of areas which require further analysis including the ability of such processes to secure adequate payment for their exports, a review of connection standards and processes for smaller generators, and the implications of the Single Electricity Market for small-scale electricity generation.

These technical and administrative issues are currently being addressed, and my Department is working with the relevant agencies, including SEI, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), ESB Networks and the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland in this regard.

As part of the ongoing work to progress this area, CER has recently launched a public consultation on micro generation.

We are working to ensure that the appropriate administrative, technical and safety standards and practices are in place to underpin programmes for the widespread deployment of micro generation technologies. I am confident that appropriate solutions suited to the context of the Irish electricity grid and for non-grid connected technologies will be developed with a view to progressing this emerging sector.