Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

With regard to the three amendments tabled by the Green Party, amendments Nos. 58, 60 and 61, I have reservations about the formula. Amendment No. 57 is reasonable enough to include the definition of EirGrid as the TSO. My basic belief with regard to interconnectors is that they should be considered as part of the transmission system. That is the reason amendment No. 59 seeks to delete subsection (2)(a) of the 1999 Act. It relates to the exclusion of an interconnector, presumably owned by a third party, from being part of the transmission system.

The ESB should be maintained as a vertically integrated utility. The network should continue to be with the ESB and the interconnector would be an integral part of that. I am not of the mind to support the idea, which is related to the interconnector, that the board will be extended to EirGrid. The Minister has made a decision on this and it is perhaps history.

I would resist the attempt to break up the electricity network in such a way that we might end up with a number of companies owning networks and generators. It might be argued that EirGrid would not develop along those lines. I understand where Deputy Eamon Ryan is coming from with regard to maintenance of the network. That could be the start of a new network, which may eventually expand EirGrid's role to control the whole transmission and distribution network. I would be wary of beginning a process of dismantling our electricity company.

This is particularly relevant in the context of recent events where there have been a number of amber alerts. The problem associated with the introduction of competition is also an issue with regard to microgeneration. We do not want a situation where the distribution and transmission network will become difficult to manage or where it is manipulated by vested interests who would put issues other than the security of people's electricity supply as their key modus operandi.

I am easy enough with regard to amendment No. 57 but I have reservations with regard to it and to amendments Nos. 58 to 61.

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