Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Two words the Minister of State used near the end of his statement were "expected shortfall". He is admitting or stating here what we know will happen, that is, there will be a shortfall in energy. The alternatives we are talking about and a lot of the proposals that are being mentioned are all years down the line. The just transition was due to happen in 2027. We have a situation where the power plants were closed at the end of 2020. We have a facility there that can produce 100 MW per hour of energy for the network and, therefore, we would not have an anticipated shortfall. We are willing to take that risk of having a shortfall and closing down businesses and the possibility of towns facing a blackout, rather than making the right decision, even if only for a number of years, over the winter months or whenever it may be, to re-power up that plant. We have energy that can be used on-site. We can alleviate another issue I mentioned in that the large amount of trees with ash dieback that have been affected can be burned and chipped to produce energy. This is only a temporary measure to make sure we do not have the anticipated shortfall we are saying we will have. I request the Minister of State to take this message back to the Department. We need to be realistic about decisions we make and not face an anticipated shortfall with nothing put in place while there is an option on the ground. The infrastructure is there, the equipment is there and it would not be a major cost to fire that generator up and make sure we have energy in the country this winter and next.