Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If there are issues with solar farms, I am keen to hear from Deputy Byrne about them. He can come to me with those issues. I am keen to hear the concerns being expressed at the moment. Deputy Byrne referred to delays in the planning process. Deputy Byrne and Deputy Cassells specifically mentioned delays with the North-South interconnector. There is a significant issue with this process across the board. Much of it comes down to the level of engagement that takes place with communities in trying to find sensible solutions to a range of energy projects that are coming on stream or that have come on stream.

8 o’clock

Deputy Rabbitte mentioned the Galway-Mayo duct. I do not believe it will form part of this Bill. It is disappointing that there has been a hold-up in the Office of the Attorney General with the drafting of the required amendments we need in this regard. The objective is to try to connect up towns such as Athenry. It does not just affect the ducting but also, as Deputy Collins mentioned, the national broadband plan. We are determined to drive that plan forward to bring high-speed broadband to every home in Ireland.

Regarding Ardnacrusha and the levels of water on the River Shannon, there are two problems in my constituency at the moment, one relating to flooding in a mountain and the other relating to turloughs. There is a particular problem in the far part of Deputy Rabbitte's constituency in south Galway relating to turloughs.

All the Deputies and Senators in the north east have spoken to me about the interconnector. I understand the point of view of Deputy Cassells and others. It is before An Bord Pleanála at the moment and we will get a decision later this year. I am very conscious of what people are saying to me and I am listening to them. We will all keep a very close eye on what happens in the next few months.

We have major challenges in the energy area, as articulated by Deputies Ryan and Dooley and many of the others speakers who contributed to the debate. We all need to try to work constructively together. As I said in the committee meeting earlier today, I feel that my Department is very much a facilitating Department in dealing with many of the issues relating to the climate change and energy agenda. We need to work with other Departments and work with communities rather than against them to drive the kind of change we need. I hope to be able to facilitate that as Minister.

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