asked the Minister for Energy if he intends to publish a national energy policy to cover the next 15 to 20 years; if so when; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Government strategy in relation to energy policy has been spelt out by me from time to time, for example, in the course of the debate on the Estimate for my Department. The objectives of that policy, and strategies to achieve them, are set out in the Government's programme Building on Reality. Furthermore, each of the State-sponsored energy bodies have been asked to submit a corporate plan covering their activities for the next five years. These will be reviewed by me, and following discussions with these bodies, will provide a basis for development in the medium term.

Past experience here and abroad suggests that, given the volatility of energy markets, 20 year plans have limited usefulness, especially if they have the effect of imposing unnecessary rigidities. It has to be borne in mind in this connection that energy consumption is strongly influenced by movements in GDP.

Would the Minister agree with me that there is a need for new and very clear policy directions in relation to what is going to happen to three of the semi-State bodies he is talking about, Bord Gáis, the ESB and Bord na Móna? Surely because of the expansion of the natural gas industry Bord Gáis come in direct competition with the ESB who in turn are complaining about their dependence on Born na Móna. Is it not time that we had a clear policy direction in relation to them?

I find myself in agreement with a certain part of what the Deputy asserts. Since I became Minister for Energy I have attempted to bring about a better co-ordination between the bodies in question than was there previously. It is not in the best interest of the State resources that the bodies in question be in conflict with one another. Certain conflicts will arise in relation to the energy sources which the companies are providing, and I am trying to the best of my ability to make sure that they are not tripping over one another. In that respect I agree with the Deputy. As regards the long term, we have attempted in the past 12 months to ensure a co-ordinated development of energy policy so that these companies work in co-ordination rather than in conflict.

Is the Minister saying that the total energy policy for this Government represents what is written in Building on Reality? Is he not saying that? Then are we to have any new addition to the energy policy from the Government?

I will be coming before the House in the very near future with the Estimate for the Department of Energy and in the course of that I will outline existing energy policy and how I see the near future developing. As I said in my reply to Deputy Cowen's Question, we have to work within a relatively foreseeable time limit because of the volatility of the whole energy sector.

When does the Minister intend to approve the five year corporate plan for Bord Gáis which was submitted to his Department last July? What is the position in relation to the five year plans for Bord na Móna and the ESB?

At present we are examining the day to day implementation of those plans to see how we can co-ordinate all the corporate plans rather than having any one of the semi-State areas developing a corporate plan which is not in tandem with its counterparts.