Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As part of the move towards an integrated energy market - the Minister touched on this point - we can have a different influence on different countries with respect to their energy supplies. In eastern Europe much of the emphasis is on fossil fuels; in central Europe nuclear energy is a big factor, while renewable energy resources are a big driver in this country and others. There are huge challenges in securing a consolidated energy policy throughout the European Union. How are we going to meet these challenges? What is the opinion of eastern European member states that recently gained accession to the European Union and the economies of which would not be as robust as those of other member states in dealing with these changes? A consolidated energy market would result in greater competitiveness for consumers, but there would also be an inherent risk. Will the Minister be meeting his counterparts in the directorate general to discuss the opportunities such consolidation would present for large European energy companies through mergers and acquisitions, where they might become too big in delivering energy supplies in the European Union and if the balance would be tipped from being a competitive to an anti-competitive market in which there might be a monopoly? We must be careful in addressing the issue of consolidation of the energy market that we do not tip the balance in that regard.