Mr. Garrett Blaney:

My colleague, Ms MacEvilly, will answer the question that was asked about the Corrib gas project. We have allocated separate research and development funds to the network companies to look at research and development generally and to try to see whether they can implement smart grid technology. We are in the middle of a price control with them at the moment. I think the Deputy was suggesting that this is a way to try to reduce costs. We would be very keen for the network companies to explore that as much as they can. They are using smart technologies to avoid building lines where they are not necessary, to get better value for the lines they are building and to reduce the overall cost. We are keen to push them to use smart technologies. I suppose we have to be a little careful that they are not using unproven technologies. We will want them to be able to show they are value for money from whatever technologies they implement.

On the Corrib gas-----