Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both witnesses for their presentations. Previous speakers asked what are the benefits to southern Ireland if we have, as they state, energy that is surplus to requirements.

We have an interconnector, which I know, because I live close to the Border, was out of commission for quite some time. What alternative supply did Northern Ireland have? I am sure Northern Ireland benefited at peak times from the interconnector with Scotland or Great Britain. What is the total megawatt demand in Northern Ireland?

I can envisage what will happen in years to come is that we will be part of the European grid. I know the benefits of helping one another at times of peak demand. I did not realise we have a surplus but can also access supplies from elsewhere.

We have interviewed representatives from EirGrid as well as those who have objected to its proposals. Without a shadow of doubt, the people of counties Monaghan, Kildare and Meath want the cables to be put underground rather than having an overhead supply going through some of their picturesque townlands.

There is an interconnector between Scotland and Northern Ireland and between Dublin and north Wales. Is there a DC, direct current, cable connection between both countries, because obviously there are convertor requirement stations in both Dublin and Holyhead and between Dublin and Scotland?

I can confirm what Deputy Moynihan said. I am not saying that we were assured but we were led to believe that it was physically possible to ensure that the North-South interconnector would be located underground. The cost comes in at €1.7 billion, but we got different estimates of what it would cost to put it underground. At one stage it was suggested that it would be ten or eleven times more expensive to construct an underground facility. It should go underground to satisfy the people of counties Kildare, Meath and Monaghan, whether that is up along one side of the M1 to Dundalk and then over into County Tyrone. That is the only proposal that people will accept.

There is a question of sustainability and the importance of being able to access additional supply at peak periods, but the people of counties Kildare, Meath and Monaghan must be listened to, irrespective of the costs which should be spread out over 20 to 30 years. That is not a big ask. I worked with the ESB and I never recall the cost of electricity coming down in spite of fluctuations in the price of gas and oil.

I am not aware of the figure for peak demand in Northern Ireland and how that figure compares with the figures for the South. Why is the second interconnector between the two countries much larger than the interconnector between Scotland and Northern Ireland; between Dublin and Wales and many other interconnectors on the European grid?