Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I thank the Minister for outlining the position. I presume the ongoing discussions to which he referred are between the Department and the ESB and that, within the ESB, both unions and management are involved. I am sure the unions have an interest in this issue.

The Minister referred to the tight timeframe within which we must work given that, by 2009, it is predicted we may not have sufficient power generation to meet our expected growing needs. Moreover, it takes several years to develop and deliver a power station. In this context, when does the Minister believe a decision must be made in terms of securing a conditional agreement which takes account of, on one hand, the ESB's ability to build a new power plant and, on the other, the ability of the Minister to set up a State owned landbank of some of these mid-merit plants? Is there a timetable according to which he expects a decision in this regard? Will he outline how these discussions or negotiations are proceeding?

The Minister said any decision to approve ESB investment in new power generation plant at Aghada would be contingent on compliance with all the terms and conditions that would accompany authorisation by the CER. Does the Minister have authority to direct the CER in this regard? Does he have a say in the conditions that apply in regard to any such planning permission?

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