Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The ESB's announcement last Friday marked the end of an era of electricity generation in the midlands. This decision by the ESB not to reapply for planning permission to co-fire the West Offaly and Lough Ree power plants will have far-reaching repercussions, first, for its own workers and, second, for Bord na Móna workers who will no longer be needed to harvest peat to supply the ESB after 2020. The impacts on them, local businesses, communities and the local authority mean we will all have significant challenges to manage.

This day was flagged for at least two decades, resulting 15 years ago in the closures of Ferbane and Rhode power stations. Then the ESB provided €3 million to each community. While I welcome the €5 million commitment to be added to the just transition fund, it should be possible for the ESB at least to match the sum provided 15 years ago, if doubling it is not possible.

The Ferbane business park benefited from this fund which, in the past, was a cow park and a dump. It now houses a good business park, a well-known child care facility, Bright Beginnings, and the expanding local business, Brosna Press.

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