Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions which have taken place between his Department, the ESB or other energy providers with particular reference to the ESB's role in the generation and transmission of electricity in the future; if it is intended to publish the Deloitte and Touche report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6653/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had with unions, management or other groups or interests in regard to the future structure and role of the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6625/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he or his Department have had discussions with the ESB and other energy producers in regard to the future structures of the electricity industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6695/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions which have taken place between his Department, the ESB or other energy providers with particular reference to the ESB's role in the generation and transmission of electricity in the future; if it is intended to publish the Deloitte and Touche report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7096/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he or his Department have had discussions with the ESB and other energy producers in regard to the future structures of the electricity industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7121/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 115, 338, 369 and 381 together.

Last year I appointed Deloitte & Touche to carry out a comprehensive independent review of the electricity sector. The review included a detailed examination of the ESB's vertically integrated utility structure and its dominance in the sector, particularly in the area of power generation. The consultants were also requested to make specific recommendations as to the most appropriate institutional arrangements and company structures, including ownership models, for the ESB and, to the extent appropriate, for the electricity sector in general. As part of their terms of reference the consultants also undertook a comprehensive consultation process with industry stakeholders, including the ESB to underpin the review.

I recently received the Deloitte review. I am currently considering the report in the context of the energy policy consultation paper being drawn up by my Department. I intend to publish the report in the context of the energy policy paper.