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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

Vol. 963 No. 3

Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017: First Stage

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the growth of electricity production from micro generators through a supplier obligation to provide a tariff for electricity exported to the grid.

We are staying with the issue of power and electricity following on from Deputy Ó Snodaigh's tie. The Bill I am introducing is about making the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. It will allow small-scale household production of electricity through solar or wind energy production. It will allow any excess electricity produced by small-scale micro-generators, whether households or farms, to be fed into the grid and for householders to be paid for it, which is currently not provided for. We are lagging way behind on this issue. Why are we not harnessing and utilising solar power from people's rooftops and small-scale wind and other sources? This Bill aims to grow the renewable energy sector and to add more renewable energy sources to allow citizens to play their part in expanding the sector.

Climate change is affecting us seriously. A report published last week shows that sea levels around Ireland are rising. Since 1990, they have risen at the rate of 3.5 cm per decade. That is not disputed. The report is supported by a number of sources. That is 10 cm since 1990. Seasons are warmer and average rainfall has increased by 5% across the State. Deputies from western counties will know it has been higher in the west. Recent weather patterns have been erratic. We have had Storm Ophelia and flash floods in Donegal and parts of the west of Ireland. In recent weeks, we have had serious flooding in Mountmellick and Portarlington in County Laois. A huge amount of rain has been falling in short periods. Our greenhouse gas emissions are rising. There has been a rise of 7% over two years according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

We are supposed to be reducing our emissions by 20% by 2020. I remind Deputies it is two years away. What is happening? We have increased them by 7% over the past two years. In terms of our 2020 targets, we are not even at the races. We are falling way short. Not alone are we destroying the environment and adding to global warming, but we will face substantial fines in two short years. We are one of the most dependent countries in the European Union on fossil fuel imports. That is not only relevant in terms of our environment, but also in terms of security of supply. It will become very relevant post-Brexit. We wish everybody well in the negotiations and hope we get a good outcome.

There will be an issue of energy security. Small-scale renewable energy is used right across Europe and the world and we have to start doing it here. There has been virtually no attempt by successive Governments to expand our portfolio of renewable energy. We have completely lacked vision not only in Government but right across society. Up until now, we have relied almost completely on large-scale wind farms to do it. It is an intermittent and unreliable source. We are not saying it should not happen or that we should not use wind but it is an intermittent source. To take climate change seriously and to end the use of fossil fuels, we need to use all of the renewable energy sources available. Small-scale home-generated electricity alone will not solve the issue but it will form part of the solution. Why not allow households to produce their own energy and earn from the excess power fed into the grid? Germany and other countries are doing it. There is immense potential in varied small-scale renewable energy sources. We are one of the most expensive states for electricity. That is a fact. Having households and even small businesses produce their own electricity would allow us to reduce bills and it would also allow some payback in certain cases. Going forward, we also need to change our transport use. We have fewer than 2,000 electric cars on the road in the State. In Sinn Féin, we see a future in which people will be able to charge their cars at home from their own renewable sources. There are economic and environmental benefits to that.

If we are to take climate change and job creation seriously, increase our security of supply and allow ordinary householders to play their part, we need to urgently use all the resources available. It is essential that the potential of home generated electricity provided for in the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill is brought forward. I appeal to the Government and the House to support it. We have often been accused of not bringing forward solutions. It has not happened so much in the past two years, but members of a previous Government used to stand up and shout it across at us. Here we are trying to provide an environmental and economic solution and a solution to global warming. I urge everyone to support the Bill.

Is the Bill opposed?

Question put and agreed to.

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Question put and agreed to.
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