Without any public discussion Eamonn Ryan and the ESB unveiled plans to spend €22bn of our money on a madcap proposal which will seriously damage our ability to meet future energy needs.

The plans include a massive increase in wind power which can never supply dependable power when needed. But wind turbines only produce about 25 per cent of their rated capacity and most of this simply goes to waste because it's produced at times of low demand. Furthermore, because of its unreliability, wind power must always be fully backed up by conventional power plants.

One place where wind energy can be useful (pumped storage like Turlough Hill) does not even get a mention. ESB Chief Padraic McManus said that he did not see nuclear power "being an issue" before 2035 thereby ending the nuclear debate promised by Minister Ryan, before it even started.

So at a stroke this country has been effectively condemned to almost total dependence on imported fossil fuels for the foreseeable future.