Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Given that we all agree Eirgrid should be independent, ownership of the assets should lie with an independent Eirgrid company. This will be a job for the next Government to implement because I cannot imagine the legislation will be passed before the election. Does the Minister's Department have a timetable in mind? What was the nature of the tripartite agreement entered into in 2000? Was it binding, with a timetable? The Minister used the tried and trusted "a lot done, more to do" phrase in this regard. What commitment was given to the union with regard to ownership of assets?

The Minister stated the North-South interconnector would remain in ownership of the ESB unless it was a transmission connection. I presumed any interconnection between North and South would be a transmission asset. I do not understand how it could be considered part of the distribution system.

I am uncertain about the proposal for a risk related rate of return with regard to the distribution network. Assuming it is a stable, conservative business area, my vision of a green energy future requires a radical change in the distribution system with development of microgeneration, a distributed grid, smart net metering and a range of connection options for renewable suppliers. This requires a flexible, modern, risk-taking distribution network. It does not make sense to hamstring a company in terms of development of a distribution network because this is the area in which we need most change and innovation.

Can the Minister give an explanation of the future of the ESB? I understand how the management and board of the ESB were confused. Privatisation was on the cards in the time of the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern. A number of parties considered it as a lucrative option and clear signals to this effect were given to management of the company. This has since been scotched and rightly so.

The Minister referred to the task of developing and expanding overseas and mentioned examples in the UK. The Government scuppered one of the best investment opportunities, the Polish expansion.

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