Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am thrilled that there will be progress on the French interconnector but it will not provide the full extent of the interconnection we will need. We will probably need several other interconnectors, particularly with the UK. Another planned interconnector which will connect Wexford to the Welsh coast is imminent. This is not an insignificant issue. We should be honest and clear as to what is our strategic intent. It should be the development of a north-west European regional electricity market. It is vital that the UK forms part of that market. We should be upfront on its rules to avoid ending up with a fractured system in five or ten years. It is necessary to think five or ten years ahead on this issue.