Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I hear what he is saying but the concern locally is that this situation could drift for a long time. I understand the Government does not have any say over what ESB Networks does but, at the same time, it has influence. Both projects have effectively been told that ESB Networks needs two months simply to complete a capacity review and only after that will it be known whether further reinforcement works are required. If that review concludes that upgrades are needed, we could be looking at delays of one year or more. That is not acceptable. It means that a recycling plant, which has already been rebuilt after a devastating fire and has been engaging with ESB Networks since last September seeking a reconnection, could remain idle with workers waiting to return to employment. At the same time, a major State infrastructure project could remain delayed, leaving taxpayers to continue to bear the cost while construction timelines slip further and further.

Businesses and public bodies understand that infrastructure takes time. What they cannot plan for, however, is the situation where it takes months just to be told a review is to take place and then potentially months or years more before a connection can be delivered. Will the Minister of State engage urgently with ESB Networks and the CRU to determine whether temporary capacity solutions, interim connections or accelerated network upgrades can be put in place to ensure these projects in Cappincur are not left waiting indefinitely? The workers, employers and public bodies involved have done everything asked of them. They now need the system to deliver for them.

A recycling plant rebuilt after a fire and a major State infrastructure project are now sitting idle in Offaly while everyone waits months just to find out whether the electricity can be turned back on. That cannot be acceptable.

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