James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Under this Government, Ireland is already emitting twice its Kyoto obligations and taxpayers will pay for Government inaction.

The release by the ESB of two sites for the development of new independent power stations at Lanesboro, County Longford and Shannonbridge, County Offaly, have the potential to provide a much needed injection to the development of the renewable crop sector in Ireland, especially in the midlands. These two new sites have the ability to support local jobs and the farming community and to put renewable crops firmly on the agenda. Under an agreement between the ESB and the Commission for Energy Regulation, the site of the former Lanesboro and Shannonbridge power stations will be offered for sale with immediate effect to independent electricity generators. This is a very positive development and has huge potential to kick start the development of wood chip fuelled power stations in the midlands, which would support local employment in the harvesting and chipping of crops such as willow.