Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am curious to hear some more about the nature of the interconnector, particularly the proposed Celtic interconnector. If that was to come online tomorrow, I presume it would be providing for and servicing the all-Ireland market as it stands currently.

If, as a result of Brexit, there is a change in the current interconnector proposals and the energy provision across the entire island, how is it envisaged that a solution will be achieved? Various suggestions have been mooted. Senator O'Reilly has referred eloquently to a kind of special status that recognises the unique and bespoke energy arrangements on this island, which involve not just this State and the British Government, but various other EU member states as well. I am sure Mr. Doyle will agree that if there is further energy development, perhaps involving the Celtic interconnector, we will need to put down an early marker by arguing strongly that it will have to provide for the entire island and feed into the model of best practice and service that currently exists. I am trying to tease out the further arrangements or strategies that service providers and other companies believe they need to ensure Ireland's overall energy provision interests are upheld.