Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I welcome the Minister's statement that the Government will not accept any of the bids for Bord Gáis. I predicted at the time that the announcement of the pending sale would bring the bargain basement purchasers out in force. In a spirit of co-operation, I will work with the Minister and the Department in their stated aim of continued investment in and development of the Bord Gáis energy business and reviewing options for the future of the business. I have been critical of the Department and Government in respect of the lack of what I would call a real strategy for energy and natural resources. I have made the point that we tend to respond to business interests rather than take the initiative to do what I believe is the right thing for this country.

We agree broadly on the key considerations for energy and natural resources. These are security of supply for this nation; a maximum return for the Irish people in terms of taxation, other income and, critically, employment; and the smooth and non-controversial development of energy and natural resources projects throughout the country. Sadly, that has not happened to date. Critical to this issue of smooth and non-controversial project development is not trampling on the rights of coastal communities in a bid to push ahead with what are sometimes badly planned or located developments. Again, I will work with the Minister on this. I believe his Department and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government need to look at the possibility of a land and landscape planning and management strategy.