asked the Minister for Energy if he will indicate the current situation with regard to the future of Allenwood generating station, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allenwood (Kildare) ESB Station.
18.
The generating station at Allenwood is included in the ESB's Strategic Plan 1983-88.
The ESB's Strategic Plan was drawn up by the board and management of the ESB on their own initiative and responsibility to bring about major changes in the organisation to achieve substantial price improvement. The plan sets out the measures proposed by the ESB to achieve this objective. These proposals include closure of certain generating stations, including the station at Allenwood, to reduce the board's dependence on older plant. The plan also includes measures relating to such areas as administration, accounting procedures, consultancy services, general overheads, office development, trading practices and reorganisation of structures within the board.
The plan is being examined in detail in my Department and until this examination is complete I do not propose to comment on any particular element of the plan — including the proposed decommissioning of Allenwood generating station.
I can assure the Deputy that no decision will be taken on the board's plan without the fullest consideration being given to the social, economic, strategic and regional implications of the proposals.
Is the Minister aware that a mid-life renewal was undertaken at Allenwood some years ago which should have the effect of extending the natural life span of the station? Taking that into account, would he give favourable consideration to allowing Allenwood to remain in commission until the natural resources available locally are exhausted and by which time the station will also have reached the end of its natural life span?
I have full information on the Allenwood station. I am not going to comment on any individual aspects of the plan until a full examination has taken place but full consideration will be given to all implications of the proposals — social, economic, strategic and regional. I assure the Deputy that that will be done in due course.
The Minister, his Department and his predecessors between them have had this strategic plan for about nine months. Since, as I recall, it amounts to only 25 or 30 pages, how much longer than the nine months roughly for which he has had it does the Minister think he will need for himself and his Department to study it and come to some decision? Surely the proposals in it could have been evaluated and decided upon long before now.
Since the Deputy mentioned a time frame, I would say it will be within a matter of months. It will be about two or three months, and then I will be going to the government with my proposals.
Is the Minister aware that the present serious industrial relations situation within the ESB, including the intention signified yesterday to have a total strike in the ESB as and from 21 May, has been contributed to in a major way by this lengthy delay in evaluating quite a short and relatively simple although far-reaching plan? If there is a further delay of several months the industrial relations situation in the ESB will deteriorate even further.
It will take the time which I consider necessary for the evaluation of this plan. It may be a short document, but the implications are far-reaching for future energy policy. I am determined that it will be given the time necessary. I would not consider it a major factor in relation to possible industrial difficulties in the ESB. I can assure the Deputy that it will be brought forward with all possible haste. Given the importance of the document and the uncertainty which many people in the ESB and Bord na Móna have hanging over them, it is obviously very important. In the overall strategic plan for energy the importance of this plan should not be under-estimated. There will be a full evaluation.
Can the Minister indicate to the House whether there have been any discussions between the ESB and Bord na Móna with a view to reaching agreement on a special price arrangement for sod peat?
Negotiations have been taking place and it is my hope that an equitable solution can be found to the problem of the pricing arrangements in both boards.