Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has extended the consultation period to 7 January and I encourage everybody who has an interest in the issue to make their case in advance of that deadline. Nobody should be constrained about what case they make. People who have an interest in this issue, whether public representatives or members of the public, people who are likely to be affected by it or who have an opinion on it, should make their case. I encourage them to do that.

The Deputy refers to costs and he has set out a range of figures. We have to be mindful that the cost is ultimately borne by the consumer so if there are additional costs associated with particular options, that cost will be reflected in the price of electricity to the domestic consumer and to businesses for which energy costs are a consideration when creating employment. I expect all these issues will be fully thrashed out and will be part of the consultation process that will take place up to 7 January.

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