The deferral of a decision by the Electricity Supply Board on the future of the peat-burning Ferbane Power Station in Co Offaly has added to the uncertainty over jobs in the midlands.
The board of the ESB has been discussing a £17 million refurbishment for the plant. The decision will be taken at the November board meeting amid an atmosphere of industrial unease. The most recent dispute, in late August, threatened the national gridwork.
Moreover, the International Energy Agency 1999 report on Ireland recently recommended the closure of the four peat-fired power stations at Ferbane, Shannonbridge and Rhode, in Co Offaly, and the Lanesboro Power Station in Co Longford.
Each station supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly in areas of the midlands which have been losing jobs.
The IEA criticised the Government for supporting the power stations' efforts to achieve social objectives, which most people would argue is no bad thing.
It also said the Government should not proceed with the construction of any more peat-fired power stations unless their economic and environmental performance improved.
The report said the Government should monitor Ireland's newest peat-fired plant, the privately run IVO station at Clonbullogue, to ensure it operated in accordance with its environmentally sensitive design.
"There are no convincing reasons for continuing the use of peat on energy security grounds and the economics of its use are poor," the IEA report said.
"For these reasons, existing peat-powered plants are likely to be phased out, but a closure policy needs to be confirmed and a timetable for closure announced."
Fortunately for the midlands' ESB workers and bog workers, the recommendations are not binding. However, they cannot be disregarded.
The outcome of the next ESB board meeting will be a pointer towards how much influence the International Energy Board has in Ireland.