Darragh O'Brien
Dublin Fingal East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The appropriate next time to do that is once the ANCA decision is finalised and the public consultation is concluded, which will be on 3 September. Obviously, there will be a period required after that when the submissions to ANCA will be looked at. That is where the consultation is. That will happen over the coming months.”
“I have already mentioned the more than 3 million passengers who flew through Cork Airport and the growth of Shannon Airport, which has just had its best half a year and which now has over 40 routes. However, a small number of people are impacted and they need to be listened to.”
“Others did not want it at all. I think Shane Ross was Minister for transport at the time. That has been done. That is in place. This decision will be made. I do not have a timeframe. Hopefully it will be soon after the submissions from the public on the draft noise decision is made. That would feed into both.”
“An Investec report published in, I believe, 2022 said that to maintain the cap at 32 million between now and 2030 would jeopardise up to about 19,000 jobs. That is the reality of it. I support the workers in the airport. I am from the community myself. The airport has to grow in a sustainable way.”
“I have also made it clear that even though, and this is a fact, international aviation emissions are outside the scope of the climate action plan, we are taking actions aligned with the global approach to decarbonisation of the aviation industry, which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization's basket of measures to ensur…”
“I have already highlighted the planning decision on the DAA’s infrastructure application. We discussed that at some length over the course of the last nearly two hours. That application seeks to raise the passenger cap to 40 million and provide for much-needed additional infrastructure at Dublin Airport.”
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“This demand can be seen in the number of learner permits in circulation and in the record number of advanced driver instructors working in the sector to deliver lessons to learner drivers. Last year was the busiest year in the history of the service. It is important we put this debate in context. The RSA received just under 275,000 new driver test applications, which was 10% above its projections for last year. The applications also added to the backlog which, as Deputies know, arose following the pandemic and has persisted as a result of incoming demand outstripping the RSA's capacity. Waiting times increased from last April onwards as the number of driver testers in employment declined due to a mix of retirement, fixed-term contracts reaching their conclusion and testers taking up alternative offers of employment.”
“Nevertheless, it is an important target and one the RSA should meet and needs to deliver. For the information of the House, the wait time at the end of January was 22 weeks and not ten weeks. In some of the busiest test centres the current wait time is more than 30 weeks. This is far too long. It is unacceptable that people must wait that amount of time for a test. It has been trending in the wrong direction. I understand the concerns of the Deputies who spoke. Most importantly, I understand the frustration of the individuals directly impacted by these delays. Fundamentally, these rising waiting times have been driven by rapidly increasing demand and population growth.”
“The Sinn Féin motion calls on me to take immediate action to expedite the ongoing recruitment process but the legislation passed by the Oireachtas states the operation of the service is in the statutory remit of the RSA, and neither I nor my officials are directly involved in the operation of the service. Steps have, however, been taken to support the RSA so it can carry out the job it is mandated to do and which it needs to do. It is about increasing service capacity and improving service delivery. As Deputies are aware, the driver testing service wait time is far above the service level agreement target of ten weeks. A number of Deputies alluded to this. As a point of clarity, I must point out the Opposition motion is incorrect that the target is defined in statute as it is not.”
“Every Member of the House has heard from constituents, as I have, about the issues and challenges that extended driver testing wait times have on individuals and families. There is no disagreement that the current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable. I assure Deputies across the House that measures have been taken to address the issue. I expect that we will begin to see progress in the coming months. I am prioritising this issue in my engagements with the RSA's board, its new chair, whom we appointed this morning, and its senior management team. Deputies opposite may be aware of the transformation programme on which we are engaging in the Road Safety Authority. It is important to note that under the Road Safety Authority Act, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the national driver testing service.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Daly agus lena chomhghleacaithe i Sinn Féin as an rún atá á phlé againn. I welcome the opportunity to address the House and update it on the national driver testing service. I acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by Deputies. I also note the lack of some constructive points on what we would do. To leave that aside, it is an issue and unquestionably waiting times are too long. I agree it is a vital public service and the public needs an efficient and dependable driver testing service when undertaking their journey to pass their driver test and to learn how to drive. This is not at a service level I believe is acceptable. In the course of my contribution, I will tell the House what we are doing about it. For this reason, I can confirm the Government will not oppose the motion.”
“The Deputy can be assured from the Taoiseach down - we have a Cabinet committee in relation to our response to the storm and what we can do to bring our winter programme forward. I mentioned to other Deputies investment in PR6, from 2026 to 2030, as a measure we can bring forward to this year. More than 3,000 ESB poles were replaced post storm along with about 900 km of overhead wires. On issues regarding forestry, I engaged directly with the Minister, Deputy Heydon. We met just last night along with officials from the Department of agriculture, my Department and ESB Networks around tree corridors and how we can advance a programme in that regard. I assure Deputies that we will continue to advance these works. There will be major investment in our grid from 2026 on of more than €13.4 billion.”
“Storm Éowyn was an unprecedented weather event. We have had debates and discussions in this Chamber. Many Members have views on it. At the peak, 768,000 homes, businesses and farms had no electricity. I commend all the crews - more than 3,000 ESB Network contractors and colleagues who assisted from Britain and the EU were out there to restore power to our citizens. I acknowledge this was incredibly difficult for a lot of our citizens, the very last of whom were three weeks without power. That means we have to work further on the resilience of our system. I met ESB Networks regularly over that period. I met its representatives virtually the day after the storm. I met them again on 22 January and only last night again.”
“I am happy to take constructive views on board. I note the alternative fairer plan to which the Deputy referred. I could not see how that would be paid for in order to expand it. I will look at these schemes and take Deputies' views on board. I am engaging with the SEAI around the criteria and how the processing time can be improved for these grants, particularly the warmer homes grants.”
“I am reviewing all the schemes. There is an opportunity when a new Minister comes in to look at what is working and what can be improved. I would like to see us accelerate the transition from solid fuel but we should not rubbish the existing schemes. From 2020 alone, what Ireland is investing in this area is unprecedented - €1.1 billion and 162,000 home energy upgrades, which I mentioned already, and almost 230,000 grant support applications received by the SEAI. I will look in particular at our more senior citizens in energy poverty, which I mentioned in an earlier response to another Deputy. I want to look at how the categorisation works and how it can work. I am not content with an average waiting period of 18 months, which I said. I think it is fair enough to say that. We need skills in this sector too and we need to pay for it.”
“Some €280 million has been allocated to the warmer homes scheme. That is an elevenfold increase on what it was in only 2020. It can always be improved and we need to do that.”
“I gave quite a detailed answer to Deputy Cleere earlier, particularly on the warmer homes scheme because it focuses on lower income and more complex homes with BER E, F and G ratings. I want to see a reduction in the waiting period. The Deputy mentioned a constituent in Dingle who waited 18 months for a decision. The average processing time has reduced from 24 to 18 months but I want to see it reduced further but it cannot be turned over overnight. However, there have been 162,000 home energy upgrades - more than 55,000 B2 upgrades, 22,000 fully-funded upgrades under the warmer homes scheme and 10,500 local authority homes as well. The vast majority have been paid for through the carbon tax, ring-fenced funding to enable us to retrofit homes. I want to improve and expand it. We will continue to look at that.”
“There is a new pilot scheme to support the retrofitting of traditionally built homes; two pilots aimed at informing approaches to increase the number of heat pumps installed; the new home energy upgrade loan scheme, the extension of which we launched to An Post Money and Avant, with interest rates as low as 3%; a tax incentive to encourage small-scale landlords to undertake retrofitting; a reduction in VAT for heat pumps to 9% and a 0% rate for solar panels; expanded obligations on energy companies to support homeowners and energy-poor households to reduce energy use. I could go on - there are lots of good things happening. There is an opportunity when a new Government and new Minister come into office to look at what is being done and how it can be improved further.”
“It also includes the establishment of a network of 24 SEAI-registered one-stop shops, with further growth in the network expected this year and a reformed warmer homes scheme for homeowners in energy poverty. We have made good progress there but I want to see the processing times reduced further. They have reduced, but they need to go further. There are enhanced supports for retrofitting apartment buildings and flat complexes; new supports for area-based retrofit projects for mixed-ownership estates aimed at encouraging homeowners, regardless of requirements or means, to get a retrofit. I have witnessed those schemes in my constituency, in Portmarnock. The pilot schemes are being expanded further, which needs to happen.”
“I thank the Deputy. It is an important scheme. We will continue it and there are exacting targets there. I would not say it is not working; it is. All schemes can always be improved somewhat. Ireland has one of the most ambitious home retrofit targets in the world. The national retrofit plan sets out how these targets will be met, including an €8 billion financial investment to 2030. There is an absolute commitment by this Government and successive Governments to do this. A range of measures have been introduced in recent years to support the achievement of our targets. This includes enhanced SEAI grant schemes, including expanded eligibility and higher grants and a simplified application process, which we still need to continue to look at. Faster approvals are needed. I just responded to my colleague, Deputy Cleere, on that very thing.”
“Growing green skills across the country was something in which the last Government was heavily involved and work is ongoing to grow this new sector. New apprenticeships are now in place and we will be working with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and other colleagues to further advance that. I visited many of those centres myself during the term of the last Government and was impressed. Obviously, there is pressure on skills across the economy because of full employment. That is a good thing but it comes with its challenges too. I wish to reiterate that homes with a BER of E, F or G are prioritised. Undoubtedly addressing waiting times and reducing them further will require more skilled people in the workforce. That is something I will engage with colleagues on.”
“There is a certain processing time for applications and while I am glad to see that 26 months has been reduced to 18 months, we are still talking about a more than two-year wait reducing to a year and a half. We need to do better than that.”
“I am glad the Deputy has raised this today because while I have been able to read into the record details of a reduction in waiting times from 26 months to 18 months, which is fine, that is still a significant length of time for anyone to be waiting. The waiting time has reduced for E, F and G homes, so there is a prioritisation of the worst affected. I will be engaging with the SEAI to see if there is an opportunity to consider age cohorts as well, to see if we can prioritise our senior citizens living in energy poverty. Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application and I will supply the contact details to the Deputy. Undoubtedly, significant work is required to clear what is effectively a backlog. These are more complex cases and we understand that.”
“This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades, which has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to an average of €27,700 in 2024. While these deeper retrofits take longer to complete, significant reductions in the average waiting time still have to be achieved. That is still an issue and I am glad the Deputy has raised it today. While the average wait time has reduced from 26 months in 2022 to 18 months for homes with BER ratings of E, F or G in 2024, we need to do better than that and I will be engaging with the SEAI on this. Specifically on Deputy Cleere's constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, last year 123 homes in County Carlow and 99 homes in County Kilkenny were upgraded under the scheme. The SEAI data shows that there are 242 homes awaiting upgrades under the scheme in County Carlow and 290 in County Kilkenny.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. The warmer homes scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget has seen a further increase to a record allocation of €280 million. This represents a tenfold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure. The scheme has been delivering a greater number of more complex upgrades in recent years.”
“Once that is done, I will bring that to the Cabinet to get Government agreement on it and we can move it forward from there.”
“The best way we can protect this sector is to grow it and support it. That is where the work on the RHO is particularly important. The Deputy can be assured that I see the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund as a very obvious fit within my Department and the work we are doing on energy transition. That is something we will be discussing and agreeing with colleagues. The previous Government and the previous Minister have very clear views on that, many of which I would support. The best way to protect our indigenous sector in this industry, which is in its infancy, is to grow it further and support it. We can support it through another round of grants in 2026, which we are preparing, and also particularly through the RHO. I would like to see the work with the Commission concluded as expeditiously as possible.”
“Regarding alternative fuels and biomethane in particular, and alternative energy sources, I see this as having a particular fit in that regard. I will not commit to a figure because further discussions need to take place. I am very focused on concluding the work with the Commission and then moving forward with the RHO.”
“I agree with the Deputy's analysis that there are major opportunities with biomethane. The original grant scheme was to the tune of about €40 million with 22 applications received. Within that, some of those are to expand existing facilities and others for new ones. The RHO will be an important component in allowing us to grow the sector even further. It will operate similar to the existing renewable transport fuel obligation which has been in place since 2010. We are actively engaging with the Commission. I do not want to give a timeframe yet because we are dependent on that engagement with the Commission, but we want to conclude it very quickly. All Departments, including mine, will have a particular interest in the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.”
“Delivery and monitoring of all actions is undertaken by the biomethane implementation group, which was established in 2024 and is chaired by my Department. The preparation of the strategy’s end-of-year report for 2024 is currently under way and once it is available we will publish it. That engagement with the Commission has started and there will be further meetings at official level. We will move swiftly after that to bring it to the Government.”
“My Department will then lead on a second round of capital grant funding to support the industry from 2026 onwards. That is being worked through now. The strategy also commits to the publication of the renewable heat obligation, RHO, that the Deputy asked specifically about. That is a scheme designed to increase renewable fuels used in heat, thereby supporting long-term demand for biomethane. This scheme is currently in its final stage of development. There is a requirement for engaging with the European Commission. There will be a meeting with the Commission next week at official level. It will be brought to the Government as soon as it is ready post that engagement with the Commission.”
“I thank Deputy O'Gorman for raising this important question. The Government has committed to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In response to this ambitious target, my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the national biomethane strategy in May 2024. Implementation of this strategy is ongoing and requires collaboration across key Government Departments and agencies. The strategy contains 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary supports and infrastructure are in place to develop a biomethane industry of scale. These supports include capital grant funding, the first round of which has been delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the development and upgrading of anaerobic digestion plants throughout 2025.”
“It is a very serious proposition. If we have no energy and a major disruption to our gas supply, we need to have a reserve in place. This did not come about by any kind of deal that the Deputy suggests. It is about ensuring we have the adequate supports in place should there be a disruption to our gas supply while we are expanding renewables and increasing our interconnection, as the Deputy knows we are doing also. It is about the security and stability of our energy system for our people - nothing more, nothing less.”
“There is no secret deal done at all. I have mentioned and the Deputy has ignored completely the issue of what Ireland would do right now, next week, the week after or next year if there was a disruption to our gas supply. Gas is in our system right now and we are reducing our reliance on it. What would we do? Would we just have no strategic reserve of gas? Would we not run our hospitals for a period of time?”
“It is in that instance, looking at the risks that are there, that we absolutely unquestionably need to move towards a strategic gas reserve. With regard specifically to the Deputy's contention that emissions of imported LNG are worse relative to that of coal, that depends on a number of factors, such as the timeframe in question, the supply chains associated with both coal and LNG and the methods of transporting both fossil fuels.”
“Right, I do not know where to start with that. There is a reality. The Deputy has dismissed the report that was done and the research that was carried out with regard to energy security full stop. What would this country do if there was an unforeseen event that disrupted our gas supplies while we are transitioning away from fossil fuels? We have done that very successfully. I commend the previous Minister on the work he did in that area. I know the Deputy was consistently critical of the work he and his Department carried out. However, the reality is that if there is a disruption to our gas supply, Ireland does not have a strategic reserve. What would that mean for society? What would that mean for our hospitals, businesses and homes?”
“In parallel my Department is developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure that a strategic reserve provides the resilience to our system that we need.”
“Specifically with regard to natural gas, this report concluded that Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our subsea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area. I agree with its analysis on that. We are in quite a precarious situation in that regard. It is in this context only that a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve in the form of a floating storage and regasification unit was recommended in the report in the context of ensuring energy stability and security. A State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from significant gas disruption in Ireland.”
“As outlined in the programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the programme for Government, we also set out commitments to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and to take all necessary action to ensure and protect Ireland’s energy security. It is through delivering on this commitment that we will deliver a secure and sustainable energy future. The commitment to a secure an energy future builds upon the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report that was approved by the previous Government and published in November 2023.”
“EirGrid will have a very significant plan for future investment and has been undertaking that. However, price review, PR, 6 is going to be critically important with between €10 billion and €13 billion of investment between 2026 and 2030. That is up from approximately €5 billion in the previous five years. That is critical to ensuring that we move towards a stable energy environment and can actually expand our electricity output to allow us to grow further.”
“Fundamentally, as the Deputy will know, the grid itself is owned by the State. We operate an all-island electricity market. The State owns the grid itself both North and South. The further expansion of that to harness offshore renewables in particular, as the Deputy knows, are the RESS auctions. We have five applications in planning right now. They are a very important part of actually expanding our renewables. There are other funding methods available. The Deputy will be aware of the corporate power purchasing agreements, CPPAs. They are critical enablers of the investment needed to underpin the renewables. The big focus over the coming years, now and this year and beyond, is actually strengthening the grid onshore and expanding it offshore. That has to be done.”
“However, I have stated how central the PSO levy is to energy generation, particularly around investment in renewables. It is critically important and I would see that remaining a very critical part into the future.”
“All of us understand and accept that we have vast future potential to harness additional renewables that will deliver price savings and stability in our energy market, which we need unquestionably, and help us to reach the exacting targets we have set with regard to climate. We saw very recently in some areas of the country how fragile our grid is to withstand very severe weather events. That is something we take very seriously as well. As the Deputy rightly said, we have committed in the programme for Government to intensify the transition to lower-cost renewables and electricity generation and continue the transition away from expensive and volatile imported fossil fuels. We will look at other potential funding models as well. We committed to doing that too.”
“Expenditure by EirGrid and ESB Networks is agreed with CRU in five-year cycles. As Deputy Daly knows, these are referred to as the price reviews. Work has commenced on the latest price review 6, which will see CRU sanction investment in the grid between 2026 and 2030. It has seen ESB Networks request a baseline investment of €10.1 billion, with the potential to grow to €13.4 billion.”
“Just over 4,000 MW of the approximately 7,000 MW of renewable generation in Ireland is supported by the PSO, which is significant. The annual renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, auction programme, which guarantees funding through the PSO, is a critical enabler of the investment needed to underpin the renewables-led energy system. Any consideration of future funding models will need to deliver reductions in electricity bills for households and businesses and ensure there continues to be a stable and sustainable investment framework so Ireland reaps the long-term benefits of its indigenous renewable resources. Regarding the funding of the electricity grid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, is responsible for the regulation of ESB Networks and EirGrid, the electricity system operators.”
“I thank Deputy Daly. Specifically with regard to the roll-out of renewable energy onto the grid, it is an absolute priority for the Government. We have very exacting targets. We also have a climate action plan. We are making progress on renewables. We have further renewable resources we can tap into. We have offshore renewables but I believe we have more capacity for onshore renewables. We have been successful, particularly with regard to onshore renewables. The PSO levy charged to all electricity final customers in Ireland is a vital policy support for the development of the renewable energy sector in Ireland. It will help to enable us to reach our national and EU energy and climate targets. The PSO funds a number of Government schemes for renewable energy generation.”
“I assure the Deputies I have taken on board their views. I also have my own views. I want to assess this in the round when I have all of the information available to me, which I do not yet at this stage.”
“As I have said, on 7 February, the CCPC received papers from the company. I have not been asked to give ministerial consent at this stage. I have to follow the process and I cannot intervene at this stage. This is being very honest. I am watching it very closely and carefully. With regard to how any future Oireachtas committee would deal with this, I will certainly look at it. I am not sure whether it is appropriate in this instance. It may be or it may not be. Certainty is required as soon as possible for those who work in the company. This is something I will impress upon the chair of the board and the management of Bord na Móna when I meet them. I do not want to see a process that drags out for months and months. I am sure that is not an atmosphere or environment that people would want to work in.”
“We have removed peat from our electricity system and this is something we welcome. It is now a big deliverer of renewable energies. Workers' rights and the terms and conditions they hold are very important and I do not take this lightly. To reiterate, I have noted very seriously the concerns raised by SIPTU. I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Bord na Móna on its strategic direction, the overall management and its plans as to how it will help the country with energy stability, energy security and green energy. This will also be on the agenda when I meet it. I will meet all of the agencies under the aegis of the Department and it will take some time to get through them. I am aware that, right now, there is concern for the people who are working in the recycling company, but there is a process to be followed.”
“I thank the Deputies. I have taken on board what they have said and I have also taken on board the constructive manner in which it has been raised. To be clear, the board of management of Bord na Móna is responsible and accountable for the strategic direction and management of the organisation. It is a commercial State body and it will manage its operations. The piece with regard to consent sits in the Department. To be clear, I had no discussions late last year as it would have been my predecessor. I am not sure on what the State organisation had to advise the Department and my predecessor other than that it had gone through a strategic review. Bord na Móna has done very well in many aspects of the transition to green energy and in transitioning the workforce. The just transition has worked well and I want to accelerate it.”
“The strategic review was done and engagement with the staff is happening. I would encourage that to be continued and to be done in a very detailed way to take on board any concerns. I have also outlined to the House the number of new companies and new jobs that have come from the transition to green skills Bord na Móna has made, which is something we support. I will keep Deputies advised of the progress with this. I intend to meet the board in the next week or so. I am aware of the concerns of the workers that have been outlined to me in the correspondence with SIPTU, which I have responded to.”
“I would take very seriously any decision on a potential disposal of a part of a company like this. I would assess the information I have to hand. I do intend to meet the organisation. I have corresponded on this already with the unions and SIPTU specifically, and I will continue that engagement. I have yet to form a view on this because I do not have all the information. I take on board what Deputies here have said. I do not see it as a fait accompli either. The protection of current employee terms and conditions is very important, not just in a transitional phase but potentially into the future. I am fully aware that change can be a cause of concern for people when it comes to jobs and livelihoods. I will be engaging with the company but there is a process to be followed. I cannot intervene at this stage.”
“I thank my colleagues for the questions. There is a process to be followed here. The original engagement with the Department was in 2024, as I read into the record. Bord na Móna submitted papers to the CCPC on 7 February, just short of two weeks ago. I have not received any request for ministerial consent, which would be required. I read in detail the correspondence dated 10 February that I received from SIPTU's divisional organiser. I acknowledged that and responded to that letter, outlining the process. I have not met the chair of the board or the chief executive yet. I intend to do so on a number of matters, which is why I read into the record where the company has gone and the success it has had in that transition it has made, which is good and which I fully support.”
“I received correspondence from SIPTU on 10 February 2025, which I reviewed and responded to. Bord na Móna has stated that employees will continue to work for the recycling business, with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment.”
“While a formal request has not yet been received, my Department continues to engage in dialogue with Bord na Móna on all governance-related matters, including the aforementioned. My Department understands that the company has submitted documents to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, on 7 February 2025 as part of the proposed sale process. It is my understanding that Bord na Móna is actively engaging with employees of Bord na Móna Recycling and has run a series of town hall meetings with its staff over the past week and is considering any questions raised during those meetings. It is understood that a proportion of Bord na Móna Recycling staff are in SIPTU. I have corresponded with SIPTU and I will come back on the supplementary on that, if I may.”
“Bord na Móna has stated that the proposed sale aligns with its strategic focus as a renewable energy business committed to helping Ireland to achieve its green energy targets by 2030 and, as I mentioned earlier, carbon neutrality by 2050. The board has stated that, in its view, the recycling business will no longer be part of Bord na Móna group if regulatory approval is received and Bord na Móna disposes of its shares in the company. Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna's business is subject to regulatory approval, including ministerial consent. That will be very carefully considered on receipt, which I have not got yet, of a formal request from Bord na Móna.”