I propose to share my time with Deputy Enright. The publication of the International Energy Agency Report on Ireland last month raises serious concerns about the long-term future of peat generated electricity in the midlands. The report recommends the closure of the four peat powered stations, namely, Ferbane, Shannonbridge and Rhode in Offaly, and the Lanesboro power station in County Longford. It also calls on the Government to confirm a programme to phase out all existing peat-fired power plants and to publish a timetable to give effect to the programme. We are all aware that the future of the Ferbane plant may be short-lived and hangs in the balance at present. The report also recommends that no future peat stations be commissioned.
Each station supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly in the midlands region. This area has been losing jobs for years and there has been no new investment to replace these losses. Major job losses at these power stations and the related employment with Bord na Móna would devastate the rural economic fabric of Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois and would destroy any prospects of improving the economic development of the midlands and western regions.
The IEA carries considerable weight within the energy sector and may form part of the Government's consideration on the future plans for peat generated electricity. Any such decision would lead to substantial losses at Bord na Móna, where the vast majority of employees are small farmers who are finding it extremely difficult to survive at present. This report, along with the plan by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to restrict turf cutting and the new planning Bill by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government which will require turf cutters to seek planning permission, clearly shows the trend of the Government to cease all peat production on our bogs. The report also promotes the expansion of the use of gas. Bord Gáis recently announced a plan to lay a new pipeline across the country to Limerick and Galway, but whether the counties which will be devastated by the closure of these power stations are included has not been clarified. I urge the Minister to ensure that these counties are serviced by the new pipeline as this would have a major economic impact on the whole region.
Serious consideration should also be given to the conversion of these stations to gas fired electricity generation when the route of this new pipeline is being planned. The provision of gas and access to the new broad-band telecommunications infrastructure would dramatically reduce our economic over-reliance on electricity generation in the region. These developments would ensure towns such as Roscommon and Longford and towns in north Roscommon would have an opportunity to prosper as many other towns have done to date in the current economic climate. The Minister of State should clarify the position of peat generated electricity in Ireland and the position on converting these power stations to gas fired power stations, which would be of huge economic benefit to the region and would give people in the midlands access to the gas pipeline now being considered.
