Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach did not answer the question directly; he read a script. He knew this question was going to be asked this morning. Will he just give the public an assurance, a guarantee, that we will have enough energy this winter and that the lights will stay on? It is a very simple question. I am sick and tired of short-termism. We need to think about the longer term. What new technologies are being considered? Where is the plan for microgeneration? Where is the plan for battery storage technologies? We have only Turlough Hill. A plan for a battery storage project in my constituency, at Silvermines, is noted as one of national and European importance. Where are we going in regard to these technologies? We really need to know that the lights will stay on and that there is a long-term plan that will deal with the issue over the coming years because it seems like we have sleepwalked into this and it has just been sprung upon us at this moment. The public and businesses need assurance.

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