TD calls for ‘ring fenced investment’ in Midlands from ESB power station sales

Following an announcement from ESB last week of its intention to sell two Power Stations in Offaly and Longford, Laois Offaly Fine Gaesl TD,Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has called on the Government to ring fence the proceeds from the ESB station sales for investment in the Midlands.

“In 2010, the Fianna Fail led Government as part of the bail out agreement with the Troika committed to the sale of some non-strategic state assets. This is what we are now seeing in the sale of the Peat burning stations at Shannonbridge and Lanesboro. I believe that the proceeds of the sale should now be ring fenced for investment in the Midlands.

“I am satisfied from my conversations with ESB that they intend to continue to operate and maintain the Peat Stations with the existing staff so there is no threat to jobs. However, I know that concerns have been expressed in relation to pensions and I will pursue that matter with the relevant parties to ensure that the staff get their entitlements in that regard,” Deputy Corcoran Kennedy concluded.