Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to request an urgent debate with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on energy costs and the capacity of the national grid. While I accept and appreciate that we had the opportunity to speak on these issues yesterday, it was the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, who came in and gave a reply. It is important that the Minister comes to this House and outlines what will happen over the winter months in terms of securing capacity and not having blackouts. I ask for the debate because people are extremely fearful and worried about price hikes and blackouts.

It seems to me, and to a lot of people, that every time there is an interview on this whether it is on RTÉ's "Drivetime" or "Morning Ireland" that the narrative changes. A number of days ago the narrative was that the Government was fully confident, next the situation is very tight, next was that no guarantees can be given and now the message is that EirGrid is at the pin of its collar. The narrative is not going in a direction that generates confidence. We need a serious debate in the Seanad about what is going to happen over the next number of months because when one speaks to people privately within the sector, one learns they feel there is an inevitability to blackouts in this country, which harks back to the 1970s. When we are trying to explain to people how there is a potential for energy costs to rise by €400 a year yet at the same time there will be blackouts then we need to put a plan in place. Price hikes and blackouts are unacceptable.

I appreciate that a number of things will be done, hopefully, in the budget to support the most vulnerable but all sectors will be hit. Clearly, it is critical that we assist the most vulnerable but every single individual in this State will feel the impact. Businesses also need certainty that there will be no blackouts, that there is capacity and that if blackouts take place, there are back-up plans. I appreciate that we debated these matters yesterday but we must invite the Minister himself to the House for a debate as a matter of urgency.