Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will have to get the Senator information on the Whiddy status. We have 90 day cover for our oil supplies. There is 60 days of supplies in the Republic, with some further days' supply in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe. That diversity whereby we do not have all these supplies located here is not a bad thing. We are content that we have adequate cover. The oil markets are open and accessible and while we source much of the supply from the UK, alternative sources are accessible in Europe should we need to divert our source of supply. Tariffs are not applied to oil.

On the longer term arrangements for the single electricity market, I understand there are third country platforms, recognised by the EU, on which countries trade electricity. The move is to get that recognised. There would be some differences in that we know the UK is not recognised. Even if it had similar law to the European Union, that law might not necessarily be judicable in the European courts. There will be some differences to be worked out in establishing that. However, there is a strong belief among all players that this is what they want to do. The UK has signalled its intention to be compatible with the single electricity market which will continue to operate. The expectation is that this is something that can be worked through.