Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the background and reason for the major policy shift from the Energy Green Paper to the Energy White Paper in relation to the transfer of ownership of assets from ESB to Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35607/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There was no major policy shift between the Energy Policy Green Paper and the Energy Policy White Paper in relation to the transfer of the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. The Green Paper which was launched in October 2006 for a period of public consultation, outlined the options for future energy policy, including the competitiveness of energy supply.

The Green Paper signalled the need for structural change in the electricity Sector. The Green Paper also stated clearly that it was the Government's intention to retain a strong, commercially viable ESB and that the Government did not intend to privatise or atomise the ESB. The policy directions set out in the White Paper are fully consistent with these positions.

The Green Paper also stated that it was the Government's firm view that strategic electricity assets should be retained in State ownership for the long term. The decision to transfer the transmission assets to EirGrid as the State-Owned independent system operator is fully in line with this position.