Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer the Minister to the story I told him privately about a farmyard on which previously there was only one light but which now receives a 100 kVA supply. I thank him for his presentation. The energy reduction measures are to be encouraged in the home and industry. The Minister also referred to the changes taking place. Are we on course to meet our alternative energy targets by 2020? It is important that there be security of supply to all corners of the country for the next 20 to 30 years, irrespective of whether it is wind, tidal or other forms of energy.

This time yesterday I visited a business park in County Meath for which almost 20 years ago I designed the electricity requirements. I was taken aback by what had happened there. The original idea was to develop ten sites for small to medium-sized enterprises, with each being provided with water and sewerage facilities and 25 Kw of electricity using a 200 kVA transformer. I had not been to visit the site for almost 20 years and it had developed beyond recognition. There is a 38,000 kVA transformer station located in the middle of the development and demand on the business park is now 200 times what was originally anticipated. It is welcome that the ESB had the infrastructure in place to cater for all of the businesses on the site. As I said, the original intention was to provide ten development sites, on which 100 people would secure jobs. There are now almost 40 factories located on the site employing almost 1,000 people.

I cannot over-emphasise the importance of ensuring security of supply of electricity countrywide for the next 20 to 30 years.

Perhaps that is the reason IDA Ireland is hesitant to move away from the east coast in most cases. Yesterday I was deeply encouraged by the small IDA factories at the development I visited.

I knew this meeting was taking place today so wish to emphasise the importance of interconnectors North and South, east and west. We help one another at times of peak demand and provide electricity cheaply at times of peak demand in reverse. I also want to emphasise the necessity to move, as part of the European grid, in the interest of security of supply. That is of paramount importance.

We must reduce CO2 emissions but I am not sure who to talk to about it. However, I am convinced that we can reduce CO2 emissions throughout the country, particularly on our motorways which have, in some instances, excessive lighting and well exceed the demand for electricity. We should reduce the necessity to have so much lighting. I am just emphasising the requirement for doing so across the island. If a similar initiative was implemented in Sligo, Newcastlewest or wherever we could supply the electricity required to run a business park. Implementing such initiatives is the way forward. Parts of Ireland do not have an adequate supply of electricity which reduces the chance of attracting an IDA Ireland factory to the area. A business park comprising small and medium-sized industries is the way forward for many towns that are similar in size to Kells, County Meath which I visited this time yesterday.