Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week's confirmation was a devastating blow to the workers, their families and the wider communities. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, spent Monday listening to public and trade union representatives but this needs to be followed through with concrete delivery and substance. We are now faced with a ten-year just transition condensed into just over ten months. We need the Minister to intervene and to examine the possibility of a full move to biomass at one of the plants and the extension of natural gas from Ballymahon to Lanesborough.

There needs to be full disclosure from Bord na Móna in regard its plans for the future. Has the Minister considered changing the constitution of Bord na Móna, with a view to expanding its remit such that it will be possible to guarantee its workers that they can be re-employed in bog reclamation and home retrofit? As matters stand, public procurement prevents the Minister being able to guarantee those jobs will remain available to the employees of Bord na Móna. Can the Minister confirm the protection of the pensions of Bord na Móna employees and can he ensure that the expanded just transition committee will take into account people from a wider area than that which it currently serves?

See this speech in context