Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The Minister did not satisfactorily explain the legislative device he is using with regard to the position of interconnectors in the transmission system. The new section 2A(1) states that an interconnector owned by the board is part of the transmission system, while section 2A(2) states that an interconnector not owned by the board is not part of the transmission system. This would apply to EirGrid's ownership of the proposed interconnector. However, section 2A(3) states: "Notwithstanding subsection (2), an interconnector owned by a person other than the Board shall be considered to be part of the transmission system for the purposes of calculating charges and imposing charges for use of the transmission system." In that case, is an interconnector owned by EirGrid part of the transmission system? What differences will apply to EirGrid's management of this facility versus any other facility? What purposes are involved other than calculating and imposing charges?

I do not understand the legislative ploy being used in this section. Is it a mechanism to get around the political difficulty the Minister has with the Taoiseach or ESB trade unions? Why will the Minister accept not the amendment to enable EirGrid to own a transmission asset? Given that the interconnector in question is new, this would not create any historical difficulties. Why is the Minister using this complicated and contradictory legislative device?

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