Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Harty has raised many very valid questions. On Brexit, we plan to publish the heads of the legislation which is being prepared for a no-deal Brexit later on this afternoon. One of the 17 heads of that Bill addresses the single electricity market. It is not the only response required in that regard but an element of the response to the challenges we would face in respect of the single electricity market in the event of a no-deal Brexit is included in that legislation.

I am very familiar with Moneypoint. I have visited it on a number of occasions. I was previously the Opposition spokesperson on energy. Of course the ESB faces challenges in this area in terms of finding viable alternatives to coal, supporting its employees, and ensuring that the infrastructure that has been built and which connects Moneypoint remains a key positive factor in terms of grid management and electricity supply in the future. I believe that enormous opportunities for job growth in County Clare and the west coast generally will arise from offshore renewables in the future. The ESB will obviously come back to Government with a specific plan, as has Bord na Móna, with regard to how it proposes to move away from coal as a power source and towards alternative fuel sources which will be more climate-friendly.

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