Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I agree the Minister has gone some way to meeting the concerns of the Opposition and the section he has introduced is beneficial.

We must provide for the unforeseen and I am not sure that has been achieved in section 10A. As unforeseen events are likely to occur from time to time, my proposal in amendment No. 50 to insert the words "or arising from specific circumstances" would strengthen the section. With the best will in the world, the points on which the Minister may issue policy directions to the commission may not encompass all issues that could impact on the guarantee of supply or other matters associated with the energy industry. It would, therefore, be beneficial to include a reference to "specific circumstances".

Most of the other amendments in the group speak for themselves. On amendment No. 56, it is crucial to have a short, medium and long-term plan for the energy industry. This is precisely what Deputy Broughan's amendment would introduce and his proposal has merit. The Minister indicated it is impossible to have a 30-year plan. While I agree it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen over such a period, a long-term plan can be achieved by having a series of short-term plans and correcting them on an annual basis. This approach would deliver a streamlined, seamless plan which one could roll over every year. Most of our European colleagues have adopted this highly effective approach, which is similar to taking a lease.

Contracts for leases make provision for revisions, whether annually or every two or five years. Unless one has this type of continuity, it will not be possible to have the seamless process required to achieve the level of import substitution needed in the energy industry. Achieving this will be critical to whether Ireland complies with the Kyoto Protocol and makes progress towards self-sufficiency in energy generation. Not all the matters I have outlined are covered by the Minister's proposal.

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