Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

It is worth including the point in the debate because this is an extremely important issue. When I have raised this point in the past, the Minister has adopted what appears to me to be a highly facile view to the effect that as we have got this far, we may as well finish the job. This underestimates the impact on the ESB of the proposed break up in terms of its capacity to compete. While Members already have learned that trade unions are extremely concerned about this issue, it is clear, particularly given the dominance of Russia, that changes of policy and opinion within Europe have occurred and it is worth our while to listen. My only point at present is that I hope the Government is listening. While I am unsure it is, I hope this is what is happening.

All Members desire to see EirGrid develop its capacity and to do so in compliance with the requirement to assist in the battle against climate change. The Government and EU targets set a major challenge for us to meet. While the greatest responsibility for CO2 emissions arise in the transport and agriculture sectors, much can be done to militate against global warming in the energy area. Whatever happened to global warming? It is raining outside.

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