Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Energy Security: Motion (Resumed)

 

8:00 pm

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I will begin where Deputy Barrett finished. We find ourselves in a ridiculous position. To add some detail to the points made by Deputy Barrett, I will use my county of Wicklow as an example - it is not too far from the home area of the Minister of State, Deputy Mary White.

The Arklow Bank project is a 500 MW, €1.3 billion project. It began before another Airtricity project which is currently at construction stage off the east coast of the UK yet we have not even got within a whisker of beginning construction on that 200 MW turbine project off the coast of Wicklow and Wexford. At some stage, somebody must say "For God's sake, stop trying to pull the wool over everybody's eyes", because it is not happening in counties Wicklow and Wexford.

Endesa purchased the heavy fuel station at Great Island, County Wexford, and this will be converted to a gas-fired station of 500 MW. At some stage, Airtricity will perhaps get its 500 MW offshore wind farm progressing on the other side of the county. There is 250 MW in wind energy either constructed or about to begin construction. However the Minister of State does her maths, that makes 1,250 MW in County Wexford yet there is just one 220 kV line running through the county. One does not have to be genius to know that does not add up to any version of a benefit for the people.

Bord Gáis is promoting a 500 MW interconnector to the UK via the south of County Wexford, as is another company, Imera Power. Bord Gáis is also promoting a 700 MW interconnector to the Continent. At some stage, somebody must tell the Minister to stop trying to fool the people. What the Government is doing is of no real benefit to Ireland. A previous speaker referred to €6 billion going out of the State with no benefit in return. What we need to do is promote those interconnectors, sell the product and get money into the State. We keep hearing from the Green Party-Fianna Fáil Government about the smart economy. To maintain the Arklow Bank project will benefit north Wexford and south Wicklow with 500 jobs. At some stage, somebody must get up off his or her backside and really get going on this. Some people naively thought the Green Party would do so. This should be up its alley but it is failing badly.

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