Denis Landy (Labour)
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 I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White.  I ask him to outline the current status of the review of EirGrid's proposals for the Grid Link and Grid West projects being undertaken by an independent expert panel under the chairmanship of Mrs. Catherine McGuinness.  I submitted my request to raise this issue on the commencement of business last week.  Subsequently, on Friday, EirGrid made a major announcement and published a draft consultation document.  Many people in Tipperary, Waterford and other counties were able to sleep easier once they had digested the contents of the document.  

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank the Senator for his remarks.  I understand he framed his question prior to last Friday.  He will understand, therefore, that in my initial remarks I will respond to his question, as framed, and that we may have an opportunity for a further exchange thereafter.  

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his succinct report on the current position. I assume the independent expert panel is required to submit its reports to the Minister before the proposed projects can proceed or another round of consultations can take place. I ask the Minister to clarify the position in that regard.

EirGrid has indicated it will engage in public consultations on its draft strategy entitled, Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow. I respectfully request that the Minister speak in forceful terms to the company about how it intends to engage with local communities. I will cite a brief example of EirGrid's previous engagement.In my town, Carrick-on-Suir, an eminent professional went to seek information pertinent to where he lived. He put a series of questions to the EirGrid representatives and, unhappy with the answers he had received, returned in the evening, met a different official and received a different series of answers from those he had received in the morning from the same company. That is completely unacceptable.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Minister?

Denis Landy (Labour)
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They say they have these offices, but they are not being opened at the proper times. It is not insignificant that negotiations with Great Britain on the memorandum of understanding to export wind energy supplies are dead in the water and not going to go ahead. The rush to provide infrastructure to avail of wind farms across the country is history because there will be no sale across the water. Therefore, I welcome the introduction of the technology, but the number of power lines needed has abated drastically. I would like to see a recognition of this. On the wind set-back guidelines-----

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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Can this lead to a question for the Minister?

Denis Landy (Labour)
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He will welcome these questions because he is up to speed on the matter.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I understand that, but the rule of the House is that the Senator should ask a supplementary question.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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We need responses.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The first point concerns how the new EirGrid draft strategy will fit with the work of the expert panel. The review identifies three potential options for Grid Link and four possible solutions for Grid West. It is a draft document for public consultation and, as I said, there are three potential options for Grid Link, one of which the Senator regards as preferable. The consultation process can facilitate that response. EirGrid will continue its evaluation of the options with a view to making a submission to the independent expert panel. It will be required to and will balance the wider economic, environmental and technical considerations and, most importantly, the views of industry, policy makers and the people to find the best outcomes. On foot of its consideration of EirGrid's submission, the independent expert panel will submit a report to me which, to reassure the Senator, will be followed by a further round of public consultations. There is evidence that EirGrid has much improved its engagement with communities and the public and in a recent report it recognised some shortcomings in that aspect of its work in recent years. It has taken significant and commendable steps to address the issue. I would be upset if individuals who engaged with it were not satisfied with the responses received or received inconsistent responses. I would like that issue to be addressed and I am sure it will be.

In terms of the exports initiative, I would not describe it as dead in the water or complete history, the term used by the Senator. The project will not go ahead and I do not believe there is any prospect of a similar project going ahead in the near to mid-term but, looking to 2020 and beyond, there are possibilities and potential for the future. Even if there is no potential for exports, we still need to continue to make progress and up our game in the renewables sector. Onshore wind energy projects will be one aspect but not the only one. The necessity to increase the use of renewables and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels will continue, but we should do so in a prudent way and only build infrastructure when it is necessary do so. I agree with the Senator on that point and EirGrid has made an assessment of what is necessary. Let us not build infrastructure unless it is absolutely required and let us have regard to the needs, wishes and views of communities. Both imperatives are reflected in its recent report, for which it is to be commended. This was reflected in my discussions with it in recent months.