Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome his response. It is difficult to keep up with all the various radio programmes on both local and national radio. I heard Mr. O'Connor's statement in which he compared the regime here to the one in Texas. He claimed it took some 72 months to be allowed to feed into the national grid using the method of electricity generation he operates.

In regard to energy conservation, most modern electrical appliances have an automatic turn-off facility. Newer televisions sets, for example, will turn off rather than go on stand-by, which was extremely expensive. Ensuring televisions are completely shut down saves considerable electricity and is also safer. The "Mooney" programme on RTE Radio 1 has run a campaign asking consumers to switch off appliances. Such information campaigns can make a great difference and prevent massive wastage. A general awareness of what is achieved by one person turning off a light bulb can have an enormous impact on overall consumption of electricity.

I previously made the point that there is a difference between the standing charges for rural and urban electricity consumers, with the former paying a far higher rate than their urban counterparts. The regulator makes the provisions in this regard and I appreciate that it is not the Minister's direct responsibility. It is an issue worthy of detailed examination. Rural electricity consumers have been paying for the capital equipment for a long time. Electricity was introduced in rural areas in the 1950s and the standing charges have increased steadily. One might live within a few yards of a town but pay a higher rate if one is deemed to be located in the rural rather than the urban area. It is unfair that people living in rural areas, including those in the Minister's constituency in County Meath, must pay a higher standing charge than those living in nearby villages and towns such as Navan, for example.

This Bill represents a great achievement for the Minister, particularly its arrangements for North-South co-operation. I recall a time when the interconnector was constantly attacked and disrupted. There is now a completely different atmosphere, which was achieved through the work of the Minister and the Government. The Anglo-Irish Agreement, Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement have led to the current situation where the Minister can bring forward this legislation and, vitally, make it work. Nobody will impede the implementation of its provisions on either side of the Border and the devolved Administration will be very much in tune with the Minister's intentions. His British counterparts are working with him in this regard and I assume legislation is being processed in the British Parliament to allow this to happen. The Minister might comment on that.

I support this Bill and welcome the expansion of the market and new regulations it will bring. Irish consumers will benefit from it.