Vol. 503 No. 1
25 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will report on her recent meeting with the Northern Secretary, The Rt. Hon. Mo Mowlam MP, on energy matters; the extent to which greater co-operation on energy was discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8667/99]
I had a meeting with Dr. Mowlam on 3 February 1999 in the context of furthering cross-Border co-operation and meeting the infrastructural requirements of the growing demand for gas on both sides of the Border by the provision of a North-South interconnector. The Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, and Mr. Paul Murphy, M.P., the British Minister of State, were also present.
The meeting focused on how best to cater for the growing demand for natural gas for consumers both North and South and how to provide enhanced security of gas supply for the whole island. We agreed that the issue of constructing a North-South gas interconnector would be studied in greater detail by officials and experts from both sides and to have a further meeting on the matter in Belfast.
Prior to the meeting Dr. Mowlam had made contact with the Taoiseach and me about a proposal by KeySpan, a US energy company, and British Gas to meet the growing demand for natural gas on both sides of the Border. The proposal comprises the provision of a North-South gas interconnector, backed up by increased compression on the existing Scotland-Northern Ireland interconnector and, if long-term gas demands so required, the building of a second Scotland-Northern Ireland interconnector at a later stage. At the request of Dr. Mowlam I agreed to extend an economic evaluation of the provision of a second Scotland-Dublin interconnector – the optimal solution to the growing demand for gas – to include the Keyspan-British Gas proposal.
Does the Minister agree that one of the disappointing aspects of the Good Friday Agreement was that there was not a greater emphasis on co-operation in the gas sector? This could be made up by taking this under the umbrella of EU North-South development.
Yes.
I am glad that this meeting with Dr. Mowlam took place and that such meetings continue. Does the Minister agree that it is in our common interests North and South to have as much co-operation as we possibly can? The areas of Ireland that would benefit most from this development would be the north-west – Donegal, Derry and Tyrone – and along the eastern seaboard, from Dublin through Dundalk and Newry and across to Armagh and Craigavon. That should be borne in mind. Does the Minister agree that there is a strong case for a single regulatory agency for the whole island?
I was disappointed that the Agreement did not contain more rigorous proposals for North-South co-operation in the energy sector, but it contained a lot of hugely important material. I hope everything works out well over the coming days. There is scope in the EU programme for us to create our own priority under that heading. The north-west and the east coast would certainly benefit from such co-operation. The Minister of State would deal with the issue of a single regulatory body, but it is something to look at, as it is natural and logical to do so if energy supply is dealt with on a North-South basis. Regulation of that supply would in time be dealt with by a single body. It is an interesting idea.
I am always glad to come up with interesting ideas for the Minister to accept.
She gave the Deputy a bualadh bos.
The Minister spoke of the North-South interconnector. Was there any discussion of a new power station in Huntstown in my constituency, which was to be jointly built by the Northern Ireland electricity service and Cement Roadstone? Was the building of a land link between Dundalk and Ballylumford in Northern Ireland to connect with the Scotland-Northern Ireland pipeline discussed? That would be of benefit to the entire island.
I want to sound a note of warning. Does the Minister agree that there is now a need for a second gas interconnector between Scotland and Dublin? Does she agree it is desirable that there be an interconnector between Belfast and Dublin? Does she also agree that giving the contract to build an interconnector between Scotland and Belfast to KeySpan will not give us security of supply and will not be in the economic interest of Bord Gáis or the Irish consumer? That should be strongly resisted. I gathered that from the Minister's initial reply, and I ask her to confirm that strongly.
In the Minister's discussions with Dr. Mowlam, did the manner in which electricity is provided in the North arise? A customer there can indicate whether his or her electricity is to come from renewable sources. In the light of future interdependence between North and South, can that facility be made available to both North and South so that we can achieve standards at the highest rather than the lowest common denominator when harmonising?
In the context of the need for a second interconnector, has the Minister any proposals in the meantime, to extend the existing facility at Loughshinny?
In the Deputy's constituency.
We did not discuss electricity or energy in general. We only discussed gas.
Was KeySpan at the top of the list?
The Deputy is correct. I met Viridian this morning. They are discussing very seriously a North-South connection. They will be in the competitive market for the 28 per cent next February and they outlined their plans to me. Dr. Mowlam and her group did not discuss any form of energy other than gas with our group.
Deputy Stagg asked about security of supply. It was his opinion that the KeySpan project would not ensure that. That appears to be the situation but, in deference to the idea of North-South co-operation, we agreed to extend an economic evaluation of the provisions of a second Scotland-Dublin interconnector to include KeySpan. That evaluation has not yet been initiated.
Deputy Sargent wondered if renewable energy projects were discussed. The meeting was quite one dimensional. We concentrated on gas and particularly on KeySpan. We also spoke in general political terms about the need for North-South co-operation. I agree with the point made in Deputy Currie's original question. We must move forward projects which will demonstrate the explicit commitment of the Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly – and very soon the Executive – to North-South co-operation on energy provision.
To our mutual advantage.
Yes.
Deputy Seán Ryan asked about the Loughshinny facility, as did Deputy Owen in February. Both Deputies represent the same constituency so they will co-operate on the matter.
I asked a question and received a satisfactory written reply.
A decision has not been taken regarding a possible pipeline landfall at Loughshinny. Does the Deputy want to see the facility put in place or not? His question did not make that clear.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
