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

I thank the Minister of State. I believe that the Minister of State will agree it is critical that we get just transition right for the midlands region. It is also critically important that the ESB is not allowed off the hook. It was extremely disappointing to hear the ESB's announcement last week that it plans to proceed with the demolition of the two power stations. There was a genuine expectation in both communities that the buildings could be retained and repurposed for alternative energy uses. A glib ESB statement said that "having considered commercial and climate action realities in particular, no viable solution was found to repurpose the plants." The region is growing sceptical about the ESB's role in this process. The company has made much out of its €5 million contribution to the just transition programme and yet we are hearing that it is already seeking this money back via a refund from the energy regulator. There is a real fear that the ESB never properly scoped alternative uses for the power stations and that it is in fact more financially beneficial for the ESB to proceed with the demolition plans for the two stations, and to seek compensation afterwards through the regulator.

As the just transition process flounders, we are seeing an increase in imports of replacement peat and fuel products, while the horticultural peat production sector faces termination in Ireland. It is now critically important that the ESB liaises with the midlands transition groups and the local groups to explain properly the rationale for the demolition of these two buildings, and to also scope adequately any local proposals for alternative uses for the facilities.

The company must return to the table with a compensation package, commensurate with the midlands' massive role in energy production over the past 60 years: €800,000 per decade, or just €1,600 per week, is derisory, and the ESB must be held to account. I encourage the Minister of State and the team in the Department to go back to the ESB once again and engage. The ESB simply cannot be left off the hook with this derisory compensation.

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