Happy Earth Day, with thanks to Deputy O'Gorman. I want to begin with solar, including plug-in solar. People always say that this Oireachtas has one of the highest numbers of Gaeilgeoirí, which it does. It also has one of the highest numbers of beekeepers, including me, Deputy Paul Lawless and Senator PJ Murphy. Bees are one of the most fascinating creatures in Ireland. They feature in our Brehon laws. There used to be the tradition of telling the bees, where you would tell your bees about the passing of a loved one. They were intrinsically linked with our history, but they need our help. I welcome the work of Deputy Lawless and Senator Murphy with the native Irish bee Bill. As a Dub, I raised this issue at my first ever meeting of the agriculture committee in respect of how we need to work in conjunction with the North on the Bill. We are not importing bees but if they go through Belfast Port, there is no point in legislation. We need to protect native Irish bees. I have nine colonies and they teach you a lot. We need a quick and decisive decision to help people with solar. There is strong public demand for solar panels across my constituency. I have referred to how apartment dwellers are blocked from being able to avail of reduced energy bills due to the fact that they do not have access to rooftops. The UK Government is fast-tracking this at the moment. The German Government has introduced a policy. All that is needed is a 500 W or 800 W solar panel on a balcony with an inverter plugged into a socket. People could use a battery in conjunction with that to help with the cost. I hope this will be looked into. I raised this issue on a previous occasion and concerns were raised about the danger of plug-in solar. I am aware that without proper execution there is a possibility that if people used two 500 W or 800 W panels on a single extension lead plugged into a single socket, there could be risk of fire. We could have a government scheme to make sure my proposal is implemented properly. That would reduce bills immediately and if we introduced a grant, the payback period could be reduced and people could be helped immediately. Multiple studies have showed that, in conjunction with small scale batteries, solar panels can help people who are struggling with costs right now. I welcome the work done by the SEAI and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. Local authorities can also access support for energy upgrades. While canvassing across my area, I have found there is sometimes a delay. We need to investigate how tenants can avail of cheaper solar panels for terraced houses. If work was done at one time, that would reduce the installation fee. People have also raised concerns with me regarding installation quotes, which can vary hugely. People want to know that they are getting fair value and want transparency and confidence. For anyone who is not familiar with plug-in solar, I have established what it involves. I welcome the comments of the Minister that it is under consideration. It would be a simple fix to help the people I represent. On batteries and smart meters, home batteries make solar more useful. Instead of using the low value of electricity produced during the day and losing it, people can hold it and use it when they need it most. Smart meters are helping and allow people to understand their usage more accurately through their smart phones with a direct link. The CRU has also made it clear that smart services require customer permission to access data, which is important for public trust. If used properly, smart meters can really help. The private wires Bill is being developed and will address barriers for EV uptake in Dublin. Many people do not have a driveway and live on terraced streets, apartments or homes. I will push for the Bill, one of the goals of which is to facilitate on-street parking. I would like to finish with bees. Ireland has 98 species.. Some 77% comprise solidarity, which nest in the ground. We have white tailed and buff tailed bumblebees, which are lovely insects. I look forward to working with Senator Murphy and Deputy Lawless. Regarding another nature-based solution, in Dublin the Green Ocean Foundation has installed oyster farms across Dún Laoghaire and Howth. I hope the Government will consider expanding the scheme. Oysters are filter feeders and a single oyster can filter hundreds of litres of seawater a day. In doing so, they improve water quality on a local scale and help the cycle of nutrients. Oyster reefs are used in productive and shallow coastal habitats and can encourage biodiversity. We need to work in conjunction with nature for nature-based solutions, be it pollution or coastal erosion. When oyster beds clean water, they also encourage sea life, and that encourages a reef, which reduces coastal erosion.

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