Before I call Senator Duffy, I welcome his guest, Ailbhe Munnelly. She is a niece of Councillor Jarlath Munnelly from County Mayo. Ailbhe is very welcome. I take it she is from County Mayo as well. I hope she enjoys her visit.

I welcome Ailbhe and thank her for being here to support me in an internship role.

I welcome confirmation by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy O'Brien, that his Department will now undertake an integrated strategy on the use of surplus renewable energy. It is an issue I have raised many times in committee and on the floor of Seanad Éireann, specifically focusing on dispatch down when turbines are being turned off because of oversupply to the grid. The Minister's confirmation today is very welcome. I have called for this on numerous occasions. Energy Cloud is a great example of using surplus renewable energy. It tops up for free hot water tanks for vulnerable households who are at risk of fuel poverty. There is a great opportunity here.

Some €500 million of wasted energy is lost every year. To create a scheme to broaden Energy Cloud's role to households around the country, specifically those most at risk of fuel poverty is excellent. Building on top of that, there needs to be support through grant aid for battery storage at a residential level. I have raised this plenty of times but I reiterate that call today, given the Minister has confirmed there will be a strategy on surplus renewable energy.

Battery storage supports for residential households, targeting those most vulnerable and most at risk of fuel poverty first, and working upwards, can have a transformational benefit for the quality of life of citizens across the country. I welcome consideration of that. Perhaps we could have a debate with the Minister on this in order that we have constructive contributions. We could take a step forward both in terms of decarbonising and putting money back in people's pockets and making energy bills much more affordable for homeowners.