Mayo communities 'must start benefiting from county's renewable energy future' - TD

The government must continue to respond in a targeted, sustainable and responsible way in the midst of what we are facing globally, a Mayo TD has stated.

Every time an international crisis causes prices to spike, it is rural Ireland that takes the hit first and hardest, according to Deputy Keira Keogh.

She elaborated: "We have to be at the centre of Ireland's energy future but that energy future cannot just happen to Mayo; it has to benefit Mayo.

"If turbines are going up, the community should see their bills go down.

"People in rural Ireland will support change if they see a return for themselves. I will keep pushing for short-term supports and long-term solutions for the people of Mayo.

"Lots of people have come to my office and had conversations with me about solar panels and how they are working.

"People got grants for solar panels last summer and are now starting to see the bills reducing. We have to keep working to support people to access those kinds of grant.

"We must acknowledge that we have made progress. Last month, 45% of our energy was from renewable sources.

"However, to avoid another crisis like this, we have to push to get that to 80% by 2030. We need to make homes and businesses all across Ireland more sustainable, warmer and cheaper to heat."