Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First of all, I thank the Deputy for the question, because it is a very important issue that is facing the people of the country today. As the Deputy outlined, it is the responsibility of the CRU and EirGrid to ensure the right balance of electricity supply and demand. When they briefed me and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on Monday night, they assured us that everything necessary is being done to guarantee supply. The generation capacity statement published by EirGrid today highlights two concerns, the first of which is short-term pressures this winter due primarily, as the Deputy has stated, to two gas-fired plants currently undergoing maintenance and going out. This has been complicated by Covid-related delays in terms of getting the actual maintenance work done because of people travelling into the country. However, we have been assured that these plants are due back in operation in October and November. That will ensure supply throughout this winter. Any short-term problems will be managed by working with large energy users who have their own back-up power supply. That answers the Deputy's question about the lights going out. The dramatic question is whether the lights will be on or off.

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