Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking clarification on two of the Minister's amendments, namely, amendments Nos. 656 and 706. They are more or less the same and relate to energy production developments. Both amendments propose that "a condition shall be attached to the permission requiring that no works shall be carried out in respect of the development" until the offer of a group connection is made and the permission for the distribution or transmission line for that development is granted. I am seeking clarification in respect of amendments Nos. 656 and 706 that this provision refers to a pre-grid situation. Is it the case that before the grid is reached at all, if EirGrid or networks have to do an energy upgrade to their grid, that will not be part of the provisions under these amendments?