The Minister must be aware that these grandiose schemes — Phase 3 has been completed and Phase 4 is contemplated — can only be brought to a logical conclusion by causing massive unemployment in the midlands. In view of the fact that the information he gave yesterday that a direction had been issued to the ESB is incorrect, does he not think it high time that the Government gave a direction in this matter? It is no great benefit to know the views of the Opposition; we are anxious to know the action the present Government intend taking in this matter.

I take it the Deputy is referring to Moneypoint 3?

I am talking about the closure of peat factories all over the country, but particularly in the midlands.

That is a separate question.

The ESB sought the consent of the Government in the seventies and got the consent to go ahead with the Moneypoint project and this Government have not interfered with those decisions.

Is the Minister aware that when the consent of the Government was sought and obtained in 1978 the growth rate in electricity demand was 12 per cent per annum and remained at that level for two or three years, and that the capacity in the country would have to be doubled within seven years? Is the Minister aware that the whole situation changed drastically from 1980 onwards and that the ESB have refused consistently to face up to the economic facts staring them in the face and have continued to pour vast sums of money into the third phase of Moneypoint——

The Deputy may not make a speech.

——when it is perfectly obvious that the overcapacity will be very considerable and that the price——

I cannot allow a long speech.

——will be the closure of 14 other stations in whole or in part, mainly turf burning stations in the midlands and the west?

The midlands will stay open.

Question No. 6.

My question is not being answered. This is very significant.

I am aware of most of the suggestions and implications in the Deputy's statement.

And the truth of a lot of it.