Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

With reference to amendment No. 63, the Minister is following the 1999 Act closely with regard to the interconnector and the terms laid down for the generation stations previously. I have some sympathy for the general position outlined by Deputy Durkan. In the past there has been concern about the beauty contest route being used with regard to public infrastructure. I recall the 3G licensing system. While the British used a competitive system which resulted in great and substantial revenues for the Exchequer, we used the beauty contest route and did so late in the day. It could be the case that benefits to the State could be maximised by always using the competitive tender route.

The Minister will have to take a decision on Eircom. We will be asking questions next week about whether the Minister will have a competitive tender for enabling the 10% or 15% of the country that does not have broadband. I ask the Minister to explain the reason for this provision about generation stations both in this Bill and in the original 1999 Act. My amendment No. 63 seeks to delete the provision and to go the competitive tender route.

Both Deputy Durkan and I know from our experience in local government that the competitive tender process would bring the best benefits for the community and the Exchequer. I ask the Minister to outline the reason for retaining that section in the Bill. In this regard it would be preferable to give CER reasonable autonomy regarding the provision of interconnection.

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