Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending to discuss this all-important Bill. I agree with my colleagues that we do not want the lights going off. The ESB has submitted two applications, one in Offaly and one in Tarbert. It is not the case that the floodgates will be opened and that every site will be looked at. I understand that specific sites will be covered by the legislation in terms of companies that are currently generating power. It is not that the legislation will give a right to many companies to come in and go about matters the wrong way.

I understand that in order to have the provisions in place by quarter 4 of 2023, this Bill needs to be passed today. I support it. It is important that we put emergency measures in place for the grid to ensure that people do not have their lights turned off. I understand that, on foot of thorough investigation, the licences are to be special licences, so it is not a case of people qualifying without having the specific measures in place. I welcome the legislation and thank the Minister of State.