Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

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

 

5:07 pm

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

The reason for this emergency Bill is to make sure we have power available for next winter. If we do not get the Bill passed and get the EPA started in the licensing process, that will not be possible for the two stations and plants that are planned, whatever about other plants. Starting another process would mean adding another 12 months at least. We have seen from experience, even using emergency legislation, how much time it takes to follow due process and make sure everything is correct. We will not be able to switch easily. We have two sites that we believe are appropriate. We have the power equipment, the distillate connection and the transformer and other equipment. It took between eight and nine months to do that. If we were to start again, we would be starting another process and this legislation would not help us or would not apply. We would be entering a completely different situation. This legislation applies to these two plants in these two locations. We believe we can do it on time, but the time is so tight that if we were to start again, another application would not come in within time.

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