Seanad debates

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Just Transition

12:30 pm

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for accommodating me in respect of this matter, which in one way is not too far removed from the matter Senator Boylan has just discussed.

I thank the Minister of State for being here to speak to the matter. I am sure he is aware at this stage that the closure of the Lanesborough and Shannonbridge power stations have been a huge blow. I accept that peat-burning stations are going, as this must happen for environmental reasons. I do not want to excite people too much but we could face power cuts in the coming months. This is a time when we really need to make the change but the just transition was supposed to happen over eight years and this process has been very rushed.We are not going to slow down the process of putting the peat-burning stations back into action. That is gone. It is over.

As the Minister of State will be aware, part of the plan was that the power stations at Shannonbridge and Lanesborough were to be dismantled. I have raised this issue with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. I want them to stall the process, however that can be done, of the power stations being dismantled. If the power stations have to be handed over to the local authorities in Lanesborough and Offaly as a way out of this and it is necessary to seek some type of retention such that they are not dismantled, that is fine with me. We live in a very quickly changing world. We do not know what type of power may come on board in the next two or three years that could be used in those stations.

If the stations are not used for generating power, a significant tourism project relating to the story of the midlands, Bord na Móna and ESB should be developed. The companies provided an economic lifeline to the midlands for 70 years. That lifeline is gone but it should not be written out of history. It was part of our culture and our history. It provided employment. It built villages and towns and kept people in the area. I am sure the Minister of State will acknowledge that the demise of the ESB and Bord na Móna in the area involves the loss of thousands of jobs. Members often speak out about the loss of a couple of hundred jobs. In this case, it is about the shops, the engineering units and all the other services that were involved as part of that process.

As we go forward, I want the power stations to be retained. I know there is a process that must be gone through to retain them. If we go through that process and get feasibility studies, I believe we can bring footfall into the area. That can be done in a very good and environmentally friendly way. It would revive the areas, which is what is needed.

I compliment the groups in Lanesborough and Shannonbridge that have worked so hard on this issue. On behalf of those people, I wish to say that we appreciate the just transition fund of almost €28 million. If we can dot the i's and cross the t's, that will be very significant. This should be a plan for the future. We should not bury the whole situation or accept that the power stations are gone for good. As the operator they are gone, but we can develop new projects and make this a significant success. I look forward to the reply of the Minister of State.

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to set out the actions being taken by the Government to support the midlands region. Significant funding has been allocated to support workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. The work of Kieran Mulvey as just transition commissioner in the midlands region over the past year has seen comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders, facilitated by the midlands regional transition team, to address the challenges facing the region, Bord na Móna workers, their families and communities which arise from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. Mr. Mulvey's reports and recommendations to the Minister and the Government have informed actions now being taken to support job creation efforts and create new opportunities for Bord na Móna workers and the wider region.

Last month, the Government approved significant funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna's large-scale peatlands restoration project. The plan will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, avoid 3.2 million tonnes of emissions out to 2050, enhance biodiversity, create 350 jobs in total, deliver significant benefits and contribute to Ireland's target of being carbon-neutral by 2050. The Government funding, which will come from the climate action fund, will be bolstered by an €18 million investment from Bord na Móna, which is committed to a brown to green transition. Many of those employed on the project will be former peat harvesters, who have an intimate knowledge and long history of working on our bogs.

The Government has also announced provisional funding offers, totalling €27.8 million, to 47 projects throughout the midlands region under the just transition fund. The projects represent innovative and inspiring plans from businesses, local authorities and communities in the midlands that are committed to creating a green and sustainable economy for the region. This dedication from the community and targeted support will make the region an attractive and sustainable place to live and work. It will fund training and reskilling such that local businesses and communities can adjust to the low-carbon transition.

On the issue of the closure of the ESB peat-fired power stations, it is important to state that the management of the ESB-owned facilities is the responsible actor in terms of this issue. The decision of the ESB in November 2019 to close west Offaly and Lough Ree power stations followed the July 2019 decision by An Bord Pleanåla not to grant permission for the operation of the west Offaly plant at Shannonbridge with biomass and a subsequent extensive review by the company of options for continued operation of the existing plant based on the key planning, climate and commercial factors associated with generation at the sites. Notwithstanding this, ESB is committed to the future use of both sites and is currently undertaking further feasibility work to assess the best use of the sites in the long term, taking account of their location, infrastructure and future requirements of the electricity market. We should recall that this work reflects a specific commitment in the programme for Government to assess the potential for a renewable energy hub in the midlands using the existing infrastructure. This remains a key objective of the Government.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I very much welcome the comprehensive reply of the Minister of State, but in situations such as this, the Government will have to lead. I know the Government is very anxious that we rebuild the economy in the area. The Minister of State probably cannot give me a direct answer today but I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about this issue and he has committed to come to the area and meet the people involved in Lanesborough and Shannonbridge. Obviously, that will not take place until the new year. This issue needs a hands-on approach from the Government, working with the people affected to ensure the moneys they have been granted facilitate the reinstatement of bogs and the re-employment of people. That will happen as part of the bogs project. For that to happen and be a success, we need a real hands-on approach from the Government. I do not think we can be left out at sea on our own. There is a significant tourism project there.

One must remember that, apart from turning the stations into museums, the area is home to the River Shannon and Slieve Bawn. There is a significant combined project that we could do together. Tourists visiting the bogs and learning about their flora, fauna and history could all be part of that project. We should not let that opportunity go. It would create significant extra jobs. I thank the Minister of State for his engagement on the matter.

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Senator's point is very much taken. The ESB recognises that the closure will impact on the midlands region. However, this does not mark an end to the long relationship of ESB with the region. The company has extensive ongoing operations, which include ESB Networks depots in several areas and the ESB Networks national training centre in Portlaoise, which provides training to 280 apprentices from all over Ireland. It also owns and operates several renewable energy wind farms across the midlands, each of which contributes significant revenues. In a joint venture with Vodafone, it has brought fibre broadband to 50,000 homes and businesses in many towns across the region. The ESB is ambitious for the region and its economy into the future and it is actively exploring options in investing in renewable energy projects. I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about this issue last night. There is a window at the moment to do something with the sites and he is very open to ideas and engagement on that. I expect the Senator will see him on site at some stage.

Photo of Sharon KeoganSharon Keogan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I wish him and his family a very happy Christmas.

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I thank the Acting Chairman and wish her a very happy Christmas.