Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to the House in the next session to give us an update on the Grid West project, which has been ongoing for some time. The project promises 35% of our renewable energy sources and the creation of many jobs in the west and north west. There will be enormous difficulties with the project when it comes to the planning process. I would like if the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, could update the House on this issue. Given that 40% of our energy needs must be met by way of renewable energy by 2020, Grid West is an important component of this. It would be good to know if we are on track and what other responses are being made to the renewable energy question.

When in the House, the Minister might also update us on the national broadband plan, to which the Government is very committed and in which it has invested a great deal of money. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, has spoken many times of the need to ensure broadband availability in areas where commercial interests might not in themselves offer it. There are places in Sligo and Leitrim where broadband remains in a poor state. I ask that the Leader request now that the Minister would make himself available to come to the Seanad at the earliest opportunity in September for an update on both of the issues I have raised.