Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on his policy to transfer assets from the ESB to EirGrid; the findings of the independent analysis carried out on this issue; when he expects to publish the findings from that independent analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress he has made in the transfer of transmission assets to Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 28 together.

I would refer the Deputy to my Statement of 13th March on the future of Ireland's electricity sector. In that Statement I affirmed the Government's decision in the Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government to transfer the ownership of the electricity transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. It is also fundamental Government policy that we retain the electricity and gas networks as strategic national assets in state ownership which will never be privatised.

The unbundling of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical, financial and operational issues as well as legislation.

In the context, not least, of wide-ranging challenging priorities for ESB and EirGrid, I have proposed that we commission an independent analysis of the transmission transfer, including costs, benefits and regulatory impact assessment, set in the context also of EU developments and the all island single electricity market.

Statements by my predecessor and myself have consistently underlined the need for transparent and inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the process of implementing Government policy in relation to the electricity transmission assets.

Input to the process of independent analysis will accordingly be invited from the direct key stakeholders. These are the management and unions of ESB and EirGrid, the ESB Employee Share Ownership Trust, as well as the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Department of Finance.

As I also announced in my statement, I intend to appoint a senior independent figure to chair this process including the commissioning of independent consultants to carry out the technical and economic analysis. I am considering potential candidates for this role at present.

All the direct stakeholders have pivotal roles to play in the process of engagement and analysis and in achieving outcomes that are good for EirGrid and ESB, which are satisfactory for all parties concerned, and which are in the best interests of the economy and consumers. I look forward to getting this collective process under way following my appointment of the senior independent chair.

Government policy is clear in relation to ensuring the strategic future of both EirGrid and ESB as strong viable Semi State bodies with vital roles to play in delivering our national targets for emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as security of supply and energy competitiveness.

I recently welcomed ESB's announcement of its new Strategic Framework to 2020, which will see an unprecedented capital investment programme by the company at home and abroad in support of our goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency, emissions reduction and energy security.

I look forward equally to EirGrid's forthcoming Transmission Development Strategy 2025. This will set out an ambitious national plan for critical investment in the transmission system over the next two decades in support of economic, social and regional development and the integration of renewable energy generation.