There would be sufficient generating capacity to cope with increased demand for energy, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, said. Next year the margins between peak demand and generating capacity would ease dramatically with the advent of two new generating stations - the ESB-Statoil plant at Ringsend and the new Viridian plant in Huntstown.

She was responding to a Fine Gael Private Member's Motion condemning the Government's failure to plan adequately for the economy's energy needs.