Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to share time with Deputies Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, John Halligan and Mattie McGrath. There is much concern across the country about EirGrid's Grid25 scheme. There is much worry that not enough is known about the project, especially from the point of view of the people in the country. EirGrid would like the cheapest option and this concern is of the highest priority, with the people and the environment secondary. This is hardly a new phenomenon as the austerity of the past few years was hardly geared towards the people's concerns. It was geared more towards the financial markets. The strategy of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, states, "The development of renewable energy is central to overall energy policy in Ireland. Renewable energy reduces dependency on fossil fuels...".

A few weeks after his publication, the Minister was speaking at an event telling more than 70 companies and 100 participants how they can be supported in accessing the major business opportunities linked to current offshore oil and gas exploration activity. The International Energy Agency is at pains to tell us that, if we are serious about limiting climate change, two thirds of fossil fuels that we have already discovered should be left in the ground. The Minister spoke this morning in the House about making environmental targets and the prospect of generating revenue for the State in the process from selling wind generating power to the UK. It is fair to surmise in our current trajectory that the Minister has little interest in alleviating the problems of climate change and is more interested in the financial end of the renewable energy scheme.

The progress of EirGrid's Grid25, Shell's activities in the Corrib Gas project and the proliferation of private windfarms throughout Ireland directly contravene the requirements of the United Nations Aarhus Convention, the aim of which is to promote citizens' access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice. There are serious questions to be answered. Why is wind making up 90% of our renewable energy when it is regarded as volatile? Why are we not spending more on wave and geothermal energy? Why are we wasting so much money and increasing emissions by heating poorly insulated housings and buildings? Why is there not more retrofitting? Do we really need EirGrid's Grid25 scheme or is it a business venture to grow exports and profits? Will we abandon tourism? Will we put the health of our people and our environment at risk in the interest of big business?

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