Dr. Brian Motherway:

It is called OpenHydro. If the Deputy requires further information on it, we can provide it after the meeting.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan's point about supply and demand is correct. The waste of energy is very close to the hearts of those who work for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. We have worked on energy efficiency and energy wastage for many years. Even as a seasoned actor in the sector, I continue to be shocked by the amount of energy we all waste in our homes and businesses. Our statistics suggest that we could easily reduce our total energy demand through simple actions such as buying better quality light bulbs, better boilers and by turning off appliances. Some of the grant schemes we have run in respect of the retrofitting of insulation and boilers into people's homes have had a significant impact nationally in the context of saving energy. However, there is a great deal more to do. The business sector is taking strong action because those in it realise they can reduce their cost base by upgrading their energy efficiency and thereby reducing their bills. We have been approached by many companies in this regard. We offer grants to companies but we also offer free advice. If any business of any size wishes to approach us, we will give it free advice on how to save energy and hence reduce its costs.

There is a great deal of information in respect of this matter on our website and people can download mobile phone applications to obtain free information. We also engage in a great deal of activities in schools. For obvious reasons, the school audience is ripe in the context of educating people not just about the green dimension but also in respect of cost. We benefit from a nice, healthy information flow in this regard. I hear a great deal of anecdotal evidence from people about their children coming home from school and telling them what they should be doing to save energy in their homes. There is a great deal more awareness of sustainable energy than was the case even five years ago. We want to build on that awareness, and the interest which accompanies it, to develop further the various dimensions of our policies, for both economic and environmental reasons.

I was asked about the all-island nature of our network. We have an all-island electricity market but the Commission for Energy Regulation would be better placed to discuss this matter in detail. If it is acceptable, I will leave it to the commission's representatives to answer the question posed in this regard. I believe I have covered all of the matters raised.