Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. It is important that we are here and I welcome the opportunity for the debate. There is much concern and this points to a possible spectacular failure to manage our energy transition. People are deeply concerned. There is a Government that has been arguing against progressive market reforms at a European and Irish level and it is failing to deliver targeted supports. Its representatives are coming here today talking about a "plan" to address energy poverty, despite the fact the strategy is out of date since 2019. It is important we have the opportunity to address matters today.

My first question is to EirGrid and the CRU. Will they clarify that the buffer or head room we have for winter 2022 is 280 MW? On the demand side and on-site generation, are we saying there is capacity to do 200 MW over the winter? Will they confirm that position because this would provide the type of clarity that people want with regard to the prospect or risk of blackouts over winter?

The second question is for the CRU. Was the Government's introduction of the EirGrid and turf Bill a vote of no confidence in the CRU and the capacity remuneration mechanism? It essentially rewrites the rule book and says that the mechanisms of the CRU had delivered error after error in the winter of 2021 and the winter of 2022. We have heard the criticism from EirGrid.

The CRU mechanism will be responsible for delivering 1,300 MW between now and 2030. What confidence can anyone have that this will be right?

What lessons have been learned? What were the failings that will now be addressed? The witnesses attended this committee in October 2021 and pointed towards statutory processes, ancillary infrastructure and economic signals. It seems, nearly 12 months on, that we are still in an iterative process of learning from mistakes. I ask the witnesses to please give us some assurance that they are in control.