We need a proper plan for energy creation

Given the very favourable and fortunate position for energy creation in which Ireland finds itself the Government’s lack of vision in not formulating a grand plan for energy creation, both for domestic and export use, will have grave consequences for the future wellbeing of the citizens of our nation.

A combination of oil, gas, wind, wave, and solar systems, properly managed and run by a public/private partnership with educated, vibrant, and capable elected politicians representing the public on the board of this Irish energy company and reporting to the Dáil, is the only way to protect the interests, and jobs, of the Irish people. This is the only industry capable of dealing with our massive and unsustainable debt.

An invitation to draft an initial plan should be extended to our academics, scientists, industrialists, and various representative bodies. This is too big an issue to be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion solely at Cabinet level. We have the brains in this country to find our own way forward. The decision to employ consultants in the USA to determine whether we should have a refinery or not was naive in the extreme.

The trend of selling off semi-state bodies and natural resources is deeply flawed and outmoded, leads to instability on many fronts, and needs to be reversed. Placing the future of a nation, natural resources, jobs, and living standards in the hands of ‘boardroom players’ is not only undemocratic, but irresponsible governance.

I am not a member of or attached to, in any way, a political party. I exercise my vote at every election and vote based on performance.

Joe Brennan

Ballinspittle

Co Cork