Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

It has been Government policy for some time, officially at least, that ownership of assets in terms of the electricity transmission system be transferred from the ESB to EirGrid. When will legislation in this regard be introduced? We were told it would be introduced last year and are now being told it is expected some time in 2009. The relevance of this issue was again brought to light yesterday in terms of the State's hope of obtaining substantial subsidies from the European Commission in respect of the cost of upgrading our electricity grid and our interconnection with Britain.

Perhaps the Tánaiste will provide the House with an accurate indication of when that legislation is likely to be introduced.

See this speech in context