Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage

 

10:00 am

Photo of Rebecca MoynihanRebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber for this debate. This Bill follows on from the EirGrid legislation last summer. It is the second Bill on energy that indicates we are failing to take long-term energy policy seriously. Instead, we are legislating as we go in response to events. On Tuesday night, "Prime Time" had a report on the Derrybrien wind farm, which is not operational at the moment. When we try to get around or ignore EU environmental legislation, we often end up taking one step forward while taking two steps back.

It is worrying that we are in a situation in which we have to legislate on an emergency basis to protect our energy security for next winter. That is no way to operate and it is not the way to address our long-term energy security needs in the midst of a climate crisis. As my party leader said in the Dáil last night, this situation is the result of our flawed and failed electricity supply market. When markets fail, it is incumbent on the State to step in. We have put forward a number of amendments to the Bill. We are not laying the blame at the Minister of State's door. He is simply responding to events as they happen. We are concerned, however, about ministerial oversight in respect of the potential extension in the Bill of certain powers. It is important that there be Oireachtas oversight in this regard. My party and some of the other Opposition parties have put down a number of amendments proposing that some of those powers be brought back to the Oireachtas. Even if the Minister of State does not accept the amendments, we hope he will consider a process, perhaps by way of going to the climate change committee, rather than simply having these issues left within the remit of ministerial power and responsibility.

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