It would be fair to say that, at times, that the Minister's own party was not necessarily supportive of that particular project.
Sentiment score: 0.48
In fairness to the people, what they want they want to see is a review and obviously, in the long term, undergrounding. Sinn Féin will not be very different North or South.
Sentiment score: 0.08
146. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the provision of wind energy; the targets for its provision in 2026; whether there are sufficient resources in place to ensure that offshore wind energy can be on-shored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14751/26]
Sentiment score: 0.26
Will the Minister provide an update on the provision of wind energy; the targets for its provision in 2026; whether there are sufficient resources in place to ensure that offshore energy can be onshored; and any other infrastructural deficits that need to be dealt with from the point of view of delivering on the wind energy promise?
Sentiment score: 0.85
In a straightforward sense, we all want to see renewables. We might not have oil fields but we definitely have a large number of areas, offshore in particular, where there is a significant amount of wind for a considerable amount of time. It is that idea, which we often talk about, of becoming a wind superpower. Am I right in thinking that we will not see these particular offshore projects by 2030? Can we get a timeline for how far behind we are? What are we doing as regards the infrastructural deficit? Obviously, a large piece of work needs to be done by EirGrid, but we have constantly heard about the issues that exist in relation to ports. I think Belfast Port is the only port in Ireland that was capable of delivering in relation to offshore wind. I ask for an update on the timeline, on when the Minister of State sees us meeting those targets and on the infrastructural deficits.
Sentiment score: 0.09
I am back to whether we can just get some sort of better notion of a timeline on when we will go from planning to shovels in the sea, for want of a better term. It is vital, no matter how far behind target we are, that we ensure we get back on track. We are hearing about an accelerating wind energy task force and the Taoiseach's clearing house. That all sounds wonderful. I just hope it does a better job than an awful lot of task forces have done to date. When we get these targets, are we looking at something that can do something significant as regards that other task force on reducing energy costs, which are having a huge impact? I get that some of that is the connection with the price of gas. There is a need for greater oversight powers for the CRU and whatever else. We cannot just listen to answers in relation to hedging any more. We need to see a greater level of transparency. It is about delivering on renewables and then delivering not only on sustainability, but on capacity, storage and price in the long term for people who are suffering huge issues with high energy costs.
Sentiment score: 0.35
Will they start construction in 2030?
Sentiment score: 0.00
148. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether funding schemes are available for communal heating schemes that wish to change from gas-fired to heat pumps in individual houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14752/26]
Sentiment score: 0.20
There are funding schemes, but what funding schemes are available for a communal heating system that wishes to change from being gas powered, possibly to heat pumps, in individual houses? We spoke a bit about alternatives in relation to communal heating systems. It is about whatever works, whatever can be done and whatever is cheapest, particularly for those systems. I am talking about Carlinn Hall in Dundalk, specifically.
Sentiment score: 0.06
On the North-South interconnector, the Minister has laid out Government policy and stated there will be no further reviews, not even the one requested. There is no difference between Sinn Féin in the North and Sinn Féin in the South on this. As I have said before, the Minister’s own party has had a significant number of people who opposed the interconnector over many years, but generally not while in government. I appreciate the answer the Minister has given. I have discussed this a number of times with him. Some of the third-party companies that are considering it are now going to assess houses in Carlinn Hall. They will have to talk to the residents about whether they want to opt for these solutions. They have engaged to a great extent with the SEAI. It is just about making sure there are no obstacles. I am aware of the €12,500 heat pump grant that is available. On one level, it does not matter whether the option is that or the support scheme for renewable heat. It is just a matter of delivering on what has been a problem. I realise that the Minister understands that.
Sentiment score: 0.10
I appreciate that. Possible solutions for the housing estate have changed many times. Initially, the heating system was fed by biomass. It was then changed to gas but then the invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices through the roof. It is a deeply inefficient system in places and at times, and while there have been some attempts at improvements, we need a long-term solution. I welcome the fact the SEAI and the Government are open to delivering on this. It may be that the easiest solution is not to replace the communal system with another communal system but to move to individualised solutions within houses. I am agnostic once there is a scheme that is affordable for the individuals and that works out as a better system environmentally and in all the given scenarios. In a perfect world, we would be able to switch it over to a district heating system that takes waste energy from elsewhere. That does not appear to be a possibility at this point, but it may be a solution in many other places.
Sentiment score: 0.35