Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his intention to transfer the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid; the timeframe for publication of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister has consistently 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 the electricity and gas networks are retained as strategic national assets in State ownership which will never be privatised.

The transfer of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical, financial and operational issues as well as legislation. The need for transparent and inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the process of implementing Government policy in relation to the transfer of the electricity transmission assets have been consistently underlined by the Minister. The Minister has announced the commissioning 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.

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.

All the direct stakeholders have pivotal roles to play in the process of engagement and analysis and in achieving outcomes that are best for EirGrid and ESB, which are satisfactory for all parties concerned, and which are in the best interests of the economy and consumers.

The Minister will finalise the appointment of the senior independent chair of the process shortly with a view to getting the collective process of engagement and analysis under way. The timing and content of the legislation required to underpin the transfer of the transmission assets will be informed by the process, which the Minister aims to conclude this year.