asked the Minister for Energy the total number of reviews taking place within his Department on various energy projects, proposed or started at various locations throughout the country; if he will outline these reviews in detail; if he will outline the exact group or sections of his Department that are dealing with these reviews; if he will give the exact date on which the reviews started and will be completed; and if he will state clearly the dates on which a Government decision will be made on both the reviews and the projects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Project Reviews.
20.
In a Department dealing with energy matters it is inevitable that at any given moment a wide variety of matters of varying importance will be under review. It would not be possible to give in a meaningful way the information requested by the Deputy without taking on a volume of work that would be out of proportion to the value of the exercise.
I am disappointed at the Minister's reply. The question is very explicit and concerns specific details.
Has the Deputy a supplementary?
We have got no information whatever. It is absolutely ridiculous for us to put down questions if we cannot get specific answers. Can the Minister tell us off the top of his head as the person responsible for energy how many reviews are going on?
At the moment in my Department we are reviewing the ESB strategic plan, the whole question of ESB pricing, the Ballyforan project. There is a general review of BGE pricing and corporate policy, and we are reviewing the functions of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation.
It would seem that there are about six reviews. Is the Minister telling the House it is not possible to give us the other information we have sought in this question? Could he tell us if the review of Ballyforan has been concluded? Has a decision been made on that review by the Government?
That is one way of getting in a question about Ballyforan. That review has not been concluded. Discussions have been on-going between Bord na Móna and my Department. The review will be concluded within a very short time.
In view of the fact that this project was sanctioned almost five years ago, and the fact that two reviews have already been carried out on the project, can the Minister tell the House why he is still looking for information from Bord na Móna? I understand he has been sending queries to them concerning the viability of the project. This viability has been looked into on a number of occasions.
Two reviews were ordered to be carried out on the Ballyforan project. They were in different directions. It is my responsibility and the responsibility of my Department to ensure that all the information available is processed and checked. With a project the size of the Ballyforan project we must ensure that an analysis is carried out in relation to anticipated revenue and costings. I have a responsibility to ensure that all the necessary examinations are carried out on a project of this magnitude. In an on-going situation with many variables and fluctuations in market prices and supply and demand, information can be forthcoming from the board. Information may be made available after initial projects have been sent to my Department if there are any changes in marketing or in supply and demand.
Are Bord na Móna having a rethink on the whole Ballyforan project? Are they contemplating not continuing with that project?
Discussions are on-going between Bord na Móna and my Department on the Ballyforan project. We have asked them for further information. A certain amount of that information has been made available. I am hoping that within a week or two we will have all the information we are requesting. It is a matter for the board to make their decision.
Is the Minister aware that a number of the directors of Bord na Móna stated publicly that Bord na Móna would withdraw from the Ballyforan project and that it was their wish to withdraw from it?
I have not seen any public statement by individual directors of Bord na Móna in relation to the project.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor, Deputy Bruton, told a deputation last August that a decision would be made as quickly as possible? In further clarification he stated that a decision would be made in 1983. Today we have been told that a second review has not been completed and others, even people in Bord na Móna, say that the review has been completed. Is the Minister aware that the directors of Bord na Móna last week referred the matter to the Government for decision? As Minister for Energy I am sure he is aware of that. Will the Minister tell us when, whether it is next week, this month, a month later or this year, the Government will make a decision on Ballyforan and not be leading us up the garden path with rounded answers such as we have been given for months?
The Deputy has left me with many options, this year, this month and so on. It will certainly be this year. That is a very wide response to the Deputy's question. The communication has been received from Bord na Móna. Communications were received on an on-going basis and last week's letter will be taken by me to Government I would say within one month.
Will the Minister tell the House if it is to be a month or two? Will it be before June 14?
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.