Dáil debates

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage

 

5:20 pm

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The war in Ukraine has brought a new urgency to the discussion on all aspects of our energy, its use and where it is sourced. The political upheaval, added to the climate and biodiversity upheaval wreaking havoc among communities across the planet, brings a new urgency to our energy considerations, not only practically and economically but also, as my colleague said, ethically and morally. In the context of the latter considerations, the amendments Sinn Féin will propose on the human rights records of any company or plant with which EirGrid enters a relationship are timely and fitting. Clean energy must be clean in all aspects of its sourcing. I will digress a little to address climate-related matters and point out that the same must apply to electric vehicles, including the conditions affecting those mining for materials used in their production.

Sinn Féin's proposal that no new applications from data centres for grid connections will be approved by EirGrid until such time as the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications directs otherwise is equally important. Renewable energy sources are critical. However, it is equally critical that we use less energy on our planet and convince people of this urgent need. This will be a serious challenge for all of us in this State and everywhere else in our world. We cannot continue on a business as usual basis. In our case, hearing from expert witnesses at the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action about the moratorium on grid connections for data centres being lifted or extended is absolutely vital

In regard to energy security we are entering new and uncharted waters. Governments throughout the EU are walking a delicate path where they are both warning and reassuring their populations about the reliability and availability of energy into the autumn and winter. In light of the publication of the energy security review, it is necessary to do as we propose, namely, that within one week of the completion of the energy security review, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications must publish the report in full along with all supporting documentation.

Politicians and Governments have revelled in being able to provide certainty to our electorate. This is somewhat old-fashioned in the face of climate change and can also be rather patriarchal. We must level with people because it is perfectly clear to anyone who has been paying attention that we have now entered a new political and climate reality whereby everything is possible but nothing is really certain. All that is certain is the further, quicker and deeper climate disaster that we face if we keep up our gung-ho pursuit of profit and economic growth no matter what the cost to the planet, be it to people or biodiversity, of which the human species is part and upon which we depend for our survival. I hope the Minister will look favourably on the amendments we will put forward.

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