Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important question. I have met the chief executives of both companies since the decision of An Bord Pleanála. I am in regular contact with them and their boards with regard to West Offaly power station. I have met public representatives, worker directors of Bord na Móna, the midlands regional transition team and the regional skills forum. I have also met representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Bord na Móna group of unions and the European Commission. All of this is being done with a view to planning the best outcome that we can.

As outlined previously, the ESB is continuing to consider the An Bord Pleanála decision that has been issued. It is no secret that it was a very strong decision in the way it was framed. Nonetheless, it has been Government strategy to have co-firing until 2028. We now must be in a position to plan for contingencies whereby that might not occur. That is the backdrop to the considerable work that has been done since July with the formation of a group within the Taoiseach's office to develop a just transition approach. The work that was announced by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, in the budget last week includes measures such as the just transition fund, the bog restoration and rehabilitation fund and the new model to group housing upgrades. These measures will be concentrated in the midlands and will support alternative employment, retraining and reskilling of workers and will support local communities and businesses in the midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition. We are continuing to consult and, as I have indicated, I will appoint a just transition commissioner to assist me in the work so that we can liaise with the various bodies at local level to ensure that this work is done in the most effective way possible.

See this speech in context