Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy on the future of the ESB in regard to privatisation; 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. [24061/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government has no plans to privatise the ESB. The Government's policy in relation to the ownership of the electricity transmission and distributions networks is clearly set out in the Energy Policy White Paper and reaffirmed in the Programme for Government. It is the Government's explicit position that the transmission and distribution network assets will remain in State ownership in perpetuity as strategic national assets.

The decision to transfer the transmission assets to EirGrid, as the State-owned independent transmission system operator, is fully in line with that position and also reflects EU policy on transmission unbundling. Implementation of the transmission assets decision will be progressed in a way that ensures the strategic future of both EirGrid and ESB as strong viable Semi State entities, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders and the interests of the energy sector and energy consumers.

The transfer of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical, financial and operational issues as well as legislation. I 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 transfer of the electricity transmission assets. I have already announced the commissioning of 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.

I will announce the appointment of the senior independent chair of the process before the end of June 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 it is intended to conclude early next year.