Mr. Garrett Blaney:

At a European level we have done an assessment of the cost of renewable support across all the various regulators. Based on the prices Ireland has paid historically for renewables, we have one of the four lowest across Europe. These are significant extra costs for consumers but when we compare them to those overseen by our German or Danish colleagues we can see there have been very expensive renewables subsidised throughout Europe. The cost of renewable subsidy or equipment has significantly reduced. There is an opportunity but it is obviously a matter for the Department to seek to try to get as much value for money in renewable supports. We have been working closely with the Department to advise on the new strategy. We are trying to help the Department in the development of that.

I will now come to the issue of Brexit. We are trying to share as much knowledge and information that we are picking up in our discussions with our colleagues in Northern Ireland and at European level. However, it is a matter for Government when it comes to where the negotiation strategy sits. We have some concern about the single electricity market. We see it as valuable to consumers here and in Northern Ireland. As the regulators, we will do what we can to try to support the continuation of the project. We have considerable investment in the integrated single electricity market project, which will be delivered next year. We have a strong commitment, inasmuch as we can as regulators, but we are subject to the negotiations that are happening between the UK and the rest of the European Union. We are available and we have worked closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of the Taoiseach and anyone else who needs information. That is all we can do at this stage. Unfortunately, where the Brexit negotiations go is out of our hands.