Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

4:57 pm

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

I am afraid I cannot accept it, for the primary reason that we already have a sunset clause. The Eirgrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022, which was published last year, has such a clause, saying the project will cease operation in 2027, with an option of a further year, if required, but only if a resolution is passed by both Houses. The purpose of that legislation was to provide this capacity and will remain available until the necessary replacement capacity has been secured. It is absolutely cast iron, in that this is time-limited. There is no question about it.

With regard to alternative locations, this does not apply in any other location. There are only two projects, in Shannonbridge and Tarbert, which were put forward for planning assessment by An Bord Pleanála. If either of those projects fail for any reason - I hope it is unlikely - an alternative site would not be found in time and brought to a similar level of planning compliance for winter 2023-24, given the tight timeframes.

I will speak to the Deputy's point about process. I accept and agree it is very unfortunate. It was not my intention to disrespect the committee or others in having a third set of legislation. I would prefer if we did not have to do this legislative measure. It was only after final legal advice, when all other avenues and options we looked at were not available, that we realised we would have to do it this way. There are clear sunset provisions in the 2022 Act which mean it will not continue beyond the dates set out.

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