Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will refer briefly to the excellent figures released yesterday on the Government surplus position. American financial newspapers have today made the point that Ireland's budget surplus is now the highest of the 27 EU member states. It is almost unprecedented at a time when many other countries cannot get into a credit situation. There are lots of reasons we are in this happy state, not least the prudent decisions made by the current Government and by our Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, and his predecessor. However, I notice that the Opposition is already telling us how to spend this money. It is in an awful race as to how we should spend all of this. Most of the Opposition fought tooth and nail against the prudent fiscal policies that enabled this situation to arise, so they have to be patient. However, there is no doubt that there is obviously room now for one or two positive budgets to come, where the least well-off in our community can benefit from this largesse, which has been won for them by prudent government. We look forward to that.

Recently EirGrid awarded State contracts to a company called New Fortress Energy, which is based in the Shannon Estuary close to where I live. This contract is for construction of two new power plants between now and 2027. Hopefully, this will come to fruition. The problem is that New Fortress Energy is waiting a long time for a planning decision on its major project, which is the liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminal. I know the Green Party has serious difficulties with this. It is one of its major issues, and I appreciate that. It is our partners in government. However, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications recently indicated a softening of his position. I think it would be timely to invite him to this Chamber to give a definitive statement on energy security and the future of that project.