Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

It was right to build Ard na Crusha and now is the right time to build a grid infrastructure that will secure the future wealth of our people by tapping into the renewable resources available to us. This is not the time to shut off investment in this area. Between grid investment and expenditure on renewables, we are spending the guts of €1.8 billion per annum. This investment is lifting the country. As we are raising international finance to pay for this infrastructure; the money does not come from State coffers. Raising this finance creates construction jobs, puts money in the economy and gives the country a lift. We need to be careful that we do not kill this investment at a crucial time. It will be paid back over generations to come as we tap into the cheap and abundant renewable power supplies available to us.

The reason I am concerned about the proposals set out in the Fine Gael Party motion is that not only would they kill that party's new era policy but they would also kill any prospect of an alternative energy policy being delivered. I am pleased to be able to raise this reality and I look forward to debating it.