Microgeneration grid connection
Deputy McGrath complained that households and farmers with solar panels and small wind turbines could not get onto the grid, and pressed for timing. The Taoiseach said microgeneration was addressed in the budget, the feed-in tariff would begin in July, and it was intended to help farmers and others; the Deputy remained dissatisfied.
I put it to the Taoiseach that his Government is a one-trick pony as regards carbon tax. I have been contacted by dozens of individual householders who have installed solar panels and entered into contracts to supply electricity back to the grid. I have also been contacted by dozens of farmers who have installed solar panels and, indeed, many who have installed miniature wind turbines, yet they cannot get ESB to let them onto the grid. The Government is treating carbon tax as the be-all and end-all, and these people are stacked up waiting with substantial investments and want to do something for the environment. They are not climate change deniers; they are good people. They cannot get onto the grid and the ESB is doing nothing to help them or allow them in. The Government is codding the people all the time.
The Taoiseach has mentioned intelligence three or four times in the House in recent days. He does not have a monopoly on intelligence around here. Will he wake up, take away the smokescreen from his eyes and see what is happening with the conglomerates? They are codding the people and will not allow those who want to do something to do it because they have a monopoly.
Comment on this
The issue of microgeneration was dealt with in the budget and the feed-in tariff is due to come into effect in July to help and to deal with that issue once and for all.
Comment on this
When are they getting onto the grid?