Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The first priority here is the workers and their families. They have been deeply shocked by the large number of jobs lost at Moneypoint. As Deputy Dooley has said, up to 100 people, who are highly skilled and well thought of and who are committed to this plant, will lose their jobs. The ESB has a very good track record in looking after its employees. At a meeting with the ESB today, I impressed upon its representatives the need to limit job losses as far as possible. Those who lose their jobs must be offered a generous redundancy package. It is essential that measures such as retraining and education are put in place. Moneypoint power station has been a driver of economic activity in County Clare for more than three decades. It has been a key employer, providing top-quality full-time jobs and significant work for contractors. It has even provided seasonal employment. It is essential that an alternative energy source is identified for the site as soon as possible in order that it can continue to play a positive role for west Clare and the county as a whole. There are alternatives, such as biomass and offshore wind power, and I acknowledge the ongoing work of the ESB in this regard. However, these plans must be produced without delay.

With climate change, the dawn of a new reality is upon us. Fossil fuel powered generating plants are no longer sustainable and we must find an alternative we can support. It is critical that we retain Moneypoint as a site for the generation of electricity to support jobs in west Clare and the county more generally. I ask the Minister to remember that the Moneypoint plant was once the backbone of electricity generation in Ireland. Up to 2012, it produced 5 MW of energy. This year it has produced 0.6 MW. I think back to the Ardnacrusha plant and the history of power generation in County Clare and appeal to the Minister. Ireland cannot turn its back on the Moneypoint plant and the people of west Clare. We are depending on the Minister and our local Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Pat Breen. We must work together with the ESB to achieve the best possible outcome for the workers and wider economy of County Clare.

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