Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a native of Leinster where peat can be found in the veins of most families, it is with a heavy heart that I accept the closure of our bogs for commercial power generation. However, that does not mean I accept the manner in which this process has been covertly fast-tracked, nor do I accept the shabby treatment of Bord na Móna workers. We are gambling a great deal on the just transition fund because at the moment not a single cent has been poured back into our beleaguered community. I am conscious that a raft of Longford projects are due for submission for the first round of applications on Friday. Collectively, these projects could be transformative but, as a matter of urgency, we need to start seeing the investment flowing into our community.

The scale of the compensation package on offer is by no means comparable to that available to other European companies which are exiting the coal industry. Longford and the midlands will not be bought for a fraction of what we have contributed to this country over the past 70 years. It is important that we stop viewing the just transition fund as merely a carbon-reduction plan because it is about much more. I appreciate it is about the future but specifically it is about the future for my community, a community that has to stand back and watch as one of its largest industries is dismantled. I would like to see a commitment in budget 2021 that Longford County Council will be compensated for a €1 million reduction in its rates bill.

We also need to see full buy-in from all Government agencies. For example, Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board has moved to close its VTOS education training centre in Longford town. That decision needs to be revisited, not only as part of a just transition training programme, but also as part of the recovery programme.

Finally, I hope, and the local community in Lanesborough expects, the ESB will stand back and allow the local community an opportunity to formulate plans and alternative uses before the semi-State company presses ahead with plans for the demolition of the €200 million power station in our village.

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