260 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the total cost to his Department of the alternative energy requirement competition and the announcement of successful tenders on 7 March 1995 assessed by the ESB; and the competition results announced on 27 February 1997 and assessed by the United Kingdom company ETSU. [7528/97]

My Department did not incur any additional costs in relation to the first alternative energy requirement scheme as the ESB power procurer conducted that competition on the Department's behalf.

Regarding the second alternative energy requirement competition, AER II, the cost to my Department was IR£60,125. This includes the cost of the independent assessor, the cost of the socio-economic cost and benefit analysis, and legal fees.

No Exchequer funds were paid to the winners of the AER I competition nor will any Exchequer funds be paid to the winners of the AER II competition.

261 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the investigation, if any, he has had carried out on the leaks in his Department relating to the alternative energy requirement competition; and, if so, the action, if any, he proposes to take on the matter. [7604/97]

As I indicated to the Deputy in this House on Wednesday last, 12 March, I am satisfied that there were no leaks from my Department in relation to the second alternative energy requirement competition outcome.