This is a Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 138, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question, "That the Bill be received for final consideration," the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. For the convenience of Senators, I have arranged for the printing and the circulation of the amendments to them. The Minister will deal separately with the subject matter of such related groups of amendments. I have also circulated the proposed groupings to the House. A Senator may contribute once on each grouping. I remind Senators that the only matters that may be discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil.
Energy Bill 2016 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages
I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendment in group 1.
The amendment in group 1 is a technical amendment which provides that section 7 on the single electricity market be commenced on the enactment of the Bill.
Does Senator Terry Leyden wish to speak?
Yes.
He will not delay the House, of course.
I will delay it for as long as I like.
The Senator has the floor, but I will sound the gong if he is impudent.
The Leas-Chathaoirleach should listen to what I say and then respond.
Certainly.
I welcome the Minister and his officials. This was a Seanad Bill in which the Minister was not initially involved. I respect the amendments made by the Dáil. To be totally realistic, the Dáil will go into recess and not return until the end of September. As a realist, I recommend to the House that the amendments be dealt with without great debate because, frankly, they have been debated in great detail. It is very important that the officials get on with enacting the Bill during the summer recess. I have no objection to any of the amendments. I support them and ask the House to support the Bill because if any change is made here, it will take until the end of September or early October to return to the House and that is just not acceptable in the current climate when we need action on all fronts. The Bill should be passed and approved by the House.
Does the Minister which to respond?
No, I am quite happy to go through the groups of amendments one by one or discuss them together, whatever way the House wants to do it. I thank Senator Terry Leyden for his comments.
I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendment in group 2.
The amendment to section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 was proposed by Deputy Eamon Ryan. It deals with issues and concerns about the promotion of demand side participation, flexibility and community participation in the energy markets to provide a mechanism for consumers to participate actively in the market through the production, sale and possible storage of electricity and to allow for the aggregation of services in the market.
I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendments in group 3.
These amendments provide some minor textual amendments to the Bill.
I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendments in group 4.
This provision provides for a number of minor technical amendments to section 24 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.
They are contravention of licence conditions. I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendment in group 5.
This is a technical amendment.
I call on the Minister to speak to the subject matter of the amendment in group 6. This grouping covers appointments to the board of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
This amendment was put forward on foot of a proposal by Deputy Bríd Smith in the Dáil on having appropriate representation from the environmental sector on the board of SEAI. We agree with the principle of the Deputy's amendment and have committed to ensuring that on the new board, on which there are three vacancies, one person will come from this background.
I thank the Minister and his officials for bringing forward the Bill. I wish him, his staff and the House a very successful summer break which we all need after a very difficult electoral and ministerial year with regard to forming a Government. I wish everyone well and hope everyone will return. I believe we will be in this Chamber until December, but I am not sure what the position is. Whether or which, we will return in the autumn, which is what is most important.
We are very grateful to the Minister.
When is it supposed to sit again?
At 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 September 2016.