I welcome the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. We need to act to ensure the delivery of housing and other infrastructure. I thank the Minister for his engagement on private wires, which is a huge priority for me. It is all about delivery for the people of Ireland. The cost problem at the moment, especially when it comes to the electricity grid, is really hitting families in north Dublin. We talk all the time about high electricity prices, rents and construction costs. I am fed up with words. There are measures that can be taken quickly. At the climate and energy committee, I am constantly pushing for private wires, long-duration energy storage and solar panels to be allowed for plug-in batteries. I do not care who gets the credit for any of this. I have heard these measures mentioned by the Green Party and others. I just want them to be done. As long as they get done and we reduce energy costs, that is the most important thing. We lack a system of consistent and transparent cost-benefit and fiscal sustainability assessments when it comes to major infrastructure projects. I was delighted that an amendment in this regard was accepted by the committee today. We need this to be done, especially when it comes to the public opposing infrastructure projects. If a cost-benefit analysis is done, it is much easier for us to defend a project. The public is paying the price for these failings and it is absolutely wrong. One of the most frustrating issues relates to the constraints on grid access. The people making decisions regarding Ireland's grid are not being held accountable, which is why I would love the Minister to have more power in relation to State and semi-State bodies. As I have pointed out 100 times, a wind farm or solar farm cannot directly supply a nearby factory with energy, even if they are only metres apart, without going through the ESB or Eir. That need to change. I welcome the publication by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, of the heads of the private wires Bill. That legislation really needs to progress. It will reduce congestion and lower systematic costs. Regarding balcony solar, if we are serious about bringing costs down for ordinary people, we must be honest about what is required. Germany has 1.5 million balcony solar systems installed, with some estimates putting the number even higher. The model is simply: allow plug-in systems, finance them through savings in affordable housing and privatise them for households. Doing so could cut bills by €200 to €400.

Sentiment score: 0.14