Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The proposed agreement is premature if the Minister is to put in place a national planning policy for renewable energy export. Surely we must do what we want. We all wish to see jobs created in the midlands, where there has been a deficit of employment over a long period. We want jobs and we must use every possible avenue in that regard. The Minister accepted that we do not have a clear national planning policy. In that case, how can we offer to trade energy with the UK? It seems that the UK is now divided. I accept that the Minister does not wish to comment on the situation, but in order to go forward we must see a clear indication that there will be an agreement. Otherwise it is a waste of energy. Should we not consider the alternative in terms of what we can do to connect to the grids of mainland Europe, where more agreement could be sought? Every community in my constituency has expressed concern. On one side I have EirGrid and on the other side I have wind farms. There are those of us in the middle, thankfully, who still talk about football. There is huge concern and we must allay people’s fears. We cannot continue to torment communities for another year if we are not in a position to continue with energy trading with the UK. From what the Minister said, it appears that the agreement is premature. Given the position of the United Kingdom, we should review whether we should sign up to such an agreement.

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