Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy should have listened carefully to what I just said. I was assured by the bodies responsible for security of supply that all matters are in order. When I received that assurance in June, I asked for further assurances. I met the bodies recently to ascertain what extra measures they had taken. Capacity is tight but those are the expert bodies that have advised me. At the last meeting, the CER and EirGrid gave details of the extra precautions taken to ensure an adequate supply during the winter, one of which is importing electricity from the North. That was not in place prior to the meetings or my inquires. I am conveying to the House the confidence that has been expressed to me by the two bodies responsible for security of supply.

I do not want to anticipate the ESB unions' position on the Green Paper proposals. As part of the consultation process, they have the opportunity to make their views known.

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