Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have also received Government approval to draft amendments to the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 1954 for inclusion in this Bill. Acknowledging the significant level of investment required by ESB group in its business, in particular in electricity network assets and renewable generation assets, these new heads will increase the statutory borrowing limit of the ESB from its current level of €6 billion to €12 billion. This will support the ESB group's efforts to decarbonise the energy sector in Ireland and to support the achievement of the climate action plan and the associated 2030 targets.

This is a critical time and a critical moment in our country. We have seen similar times when we made big decisions that had a deep influence on our society and success as a nation, decisions such as investing in free education, to open up to foreign investment, and to join the EU. This is another of those moments where we commit to the journey to net zero, living a shared future on our planet in a safe, sustainable way that will be good for all our people forever and a day.

See this speech in context