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Energy Resources

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Questions (13)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

13 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the independent assessment of the efficiency of the electricity and gas sectors here will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35814/12]

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Written answers

The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Review of Ireland's Energy Policy was launched and published on the 11th July 2012. The IEA reviews the energy policy of every member country every five years and last reviewed Ireland in 2007. The 2012 Review is a comprehensive analysis and critique of Ireland's energy policy directions. The Review incorporates the independent assessment of the electricity and gas sectors which was required under the EU-IMF-ECB memorandum of understanding in the programme of financial support for Ireland.

In the context of the progress already made to enhance the gas and electricity markets, it is helpful to have the IEA's general endorsement of work to date including market reform, price deregulation and competition. The Review underlines the need to enhance the powers of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) as necessary and also advocates that the competitive landscape be kept under review. The Review reinforces the need to implement the third energy package and highlights the challenges for the island of Ireland associated with the integration of regional energy markets. The Review calls for cost-effective and efficient expenditure on Ireland's energy networks and other major energy infrastructure underpinned by comprehensive consultation.

In that context, I can advise the House that the Government has agreed a Policy Statement on the Strategic and Economic importance of Transmission and other Energy Infrastructure. The Statement is being disseminated at national and local level to all Stakeholders.

The Government Statement reaffirms the imperative need for development and renewal of our energy networks, in order to meet both economic and social policy goals. The planning process provides the necessary framework for ensuring that all necessary standards are met and that comprehensive statutory and non-statutory consultation is built into the process.

The Statement also acknowledges the need for social acceptance and the appropriateness of exploring ways of building community gain considerations into project planning and budgeting. Delivering long lasting benefits to communities is an important way of achieving public acceptability for infrastructure.

The State network companies are mandated to plan their developments in a safe efficient and economic manner. They are also required to address and mitigate human, environmental and landscape impacts, in delivering the best possible engineering solutions.

The major investment underway in the high voltage electricity transmission system under EirGrid's Grid 25 Programme is the most important such investment in Ireland's transmission system for several generations.

While the Government does not seek to direct infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies, the Government endorses, supports and promotes the strategic programmes of the strategic energy infrastructure providers, particularly EirGrid's Grid 25 key developments investment programme across the regions. It is Government policy and in the national interest, not least in the current economic circumstances, that these investment programmes are delivered in the most cost efficient and timely way possible, on the basis of the best available knowledge and informed engagement on the impacts and the costs of different engineering solutions.

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