Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Policy direction must remain the political responsibility of Ministers, who are responsible to their legislatures; the wisdom of any deviation from that must be questioned. It might be good to escape the responsibility, something Ministers like to do, but once the power to direct is removed from the Minister's hands, it goes to whomsoever's guess is best.

I mentioned our future energy needs increasing. I hope the regulators will have due regard for this and will not only report to Ministers on time but will indicate the growth rates necessary in the industry as demand increases.

Electricity will become hugely important for road and rail travel and the degree to which we rely on it will change. The Japanese have invented a motor car with all the attributes necessary for long journeys — torque and acceleration. It is like what happened with mobile phones, which used to have massive batteries. These cars can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in four or five seconds, equivalent to a Maserati. They have the same brake horsepower as the modern saloon car, the acid test for feasibility. Within the next four years, we will see electric cars readily available and the electricity market must develop accordingly. If a person parks his car, there should be a socket to plug it in while he is about his business. Filling stations will change completely because it is unlikely that someone will leave his car for three hours while it charges. It is a question of recharging the batteries when the car is not being used, something that depends on where it is parked.

Electricity usage does not automatically lead to emissions, which are caused by the mode of generation and how the generated energy is used. Wind generation is a beneficial addition to the market that must be continued. We all know there will be resistance to wind turbine developments in certain areas. They must be located sensitively.

The British now emphasise microgeneration. This can affect the security and integrity of the grid depending on the degree to which those who opt for microgeneration rely on a supply from the grid if they become becalmed. It has been suggested that becalming will not take place but I do not accept that. When traders depended on sail power, the trade winds were vital and many travellers could be becalmed for days or weeks because there was no wind. It is a serious issue.

It has been suggested that entire swathes of the countryside could not be affected at the same time but that is not how it works. It might not happen at the same instant but it could happen within a single hour, in which case there will be a need to draw on the grid. The degree to which the grid can hold up in such circumstances depends on imponderables. We must ensure the various components contributing to the grid are such that in the event of power shortages, power from other sources will be sufficient. Otherwise, there could be no electricity.

There are those who say that we survived before electricity, but we have become accustomed to it. There are also those who object to the alternatives we may have to use in the future. No system is without its problems but if we are sensitive about where we locate our generation points and about environmental needs, there will not be many problems. If, however, we wake up one morning and the lights do not come on and there is no power or heat, it will concentrate minds. A whole new appreciation of what we are about will arise.

I hope the Bill is as beneficial as intended. I wish every good fortune to those, North and South, who are committed to this Bill. It is a good idea that improves and expands the market. It may not resolve the market's problems entirely — nothing will because it will continue to expand — but the Bill's benefits should accrue for consumers. They are the people for whom such legislation is intended. It is not for regulators to instruct us and tell us we are lucky to be able to live in a certain way.

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