Energy Policy
Seanad Éireann — 2022-09-15
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Ossian Smyth (GP), Dún Laoghaire

I should clarify that the phrase "anticipated shortfall" refers to an anticipated shortfall in the buffer of the surplus energy we have, on top of what is needed to power the country. I do not expect there will be power cuts this winter or next winter, although it is always possible. It is always possible every year. There is always a possibility of power cuts happening and it is the job of the CRU and EirGrid together to work out how to minimise that possibility. It is for that reason we passed emergency legislation to provide for extra generators next winter. The Senator mentioned as a possibility using wood affected by ash dieback. That is an inventive and creative idea. I know the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working on ash dieback schemes and will be thinking about it before the upcoming budget. I will bring that suggestion back to that Department for consideration.
Regarding the renovation and reuse of the existing facilities at Lanesborough and Shannonbridge, that has been looked at, examined and externally reviewed. It really has been considered if there is any possibility of reusing them using either existing or alternative fuels. If there was a possibility and if it could help, and is something we need to do, that door is open. I will come back to the Senator on the idea of using wood affected by ash dieback.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2022-09-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-09-15