John Whelan (Labour)

With his background and qualifications in this area I take seriously and am very interested in everything Senator Barrett says, and it is something we should take into account. There are those who believe that while renewables are the way forward and are commendable, there is a fear that it could be the next bubble, so to speak, that might not be sustainable in the long term. That is something we must examine. This issue is not just about economics but the need to strike a delicate balance in terms of economics, the environment, the carbon footprint issue and our high dependency on imported oil. We must factor all those aspects into the equation when we come to make decisions.

In terms of best practice, I return to my well-rehearsed view - I am like an old record on this one - that the more renewables we have in terms of wind and wave energy the greater the burden on the national grid and the greater the pressure on the roll-out of GRID 25, which will come through the heart of the country because it must transfer from the west to the east coast where the demand is greatest and will leave us with a virtual spider's web of power lines, cables and pylons. The reality, unfortunately, is that it will drive through the midlands and my constituency. I call on the Minister to use his good sense and influence to call on EirGrid to change its tack in terms of its corporate culture and approach this issue with transparency and in a fashion of co-operation and consultation with rural communities. Most of the people in those communities believe in and support the roll-out of the grid but they are being criminalised, a phrase used earlier, turned into protesters and Ché Guevara types in that every time EirGrid encounters any sort of obstacle, its first recourse is to the courts. That is unfortunate and unnecessary because it is the taxpayer who is picking up the tab for that. If EirGrid does not change its tune and embrace a constructive and co-operative approach, I am fearful that the roll-out of the grid will grind to a halt, something none of us can afford because our economic recovery is contingent on this grid being expedited, but only if EirGrid changes its tune.