Cribbin calls for Just Transition efforts to be ‘ramped up’

Fine Gael Councillor for the Edenderry Electoral Area, Noel Cribbin has called for a ‘Just Transition’ efforts to be ramped up for Bord na Móna and ESB workers.

“I very much welcome Minister Bruton visit to Offaly last week, so soon after An Bord Pleanála’s shock decision to refuse permission for West Offaly Power to co-fuel with biomass while the plant transitions from carbon intensive peat fuel.

"I would hope that ESB will seek a judicial review urgently of An Bord Pleanála’s decision. I am very concerned about the impact on ESB and particularly Bord na Móna workers who are impacted by this development.

“I am calling on Bord na Móna to carry out a comprehensive audit and inventory of its assets so that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have up to date and accurate data to offer to potential FDI companies," he said.

"The assets may also be made available to indigenous local companies with expansion plans. I know that the company has many state of the art engineering facilities right across the county and I am calling on all the relevant state agencies to put all their efforts in capitalising on these facilities to retain this crucial level of employment in Offaly.

“I am also calling on serious examination of Bord na Móna’s comprehensive rail network across Offaly to investigate if this network could be utilised in the transportation of biomass while both ESB and Bord na Móna transition from peat.”

“The comments from the Taoiseach and Minister Bruton committing all Government efforts to ensure a just transition for workers is encouraging and I will be working with my colleagues to deliver on this commitment,” he vowed.