'Ireland is one of the most difficult countries to get solar project go-ahead' 

Energy experts have called on Ireland to fast-forward the consenting process in planning for the provision of solar photovoltaic farms and installations on private and public buildings.

Unwieldy planning processes are blocking Ireland’s transition to cleaner energy with unnecessary delays putting our energy security and economy under grave threat, the Government has been warned.

John Mullins, executive chairman of Amarenco, a solar photovoltaic energy company, and former chief executive of Bord Gáis, said Ireland is the most difficult out of 15 countries the company operates in to get permission for a solar energy project.