Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses. I ask for an assessment on the technologies in respect of storage. Could Ireland be leaders in promising technologies that are receiving less attention than others? How much consideration has been given to mineral intensity for batteries? The witnesses have indicated that there are areas where we are leading. Are they being sufficiently supported? What might a suitable forum for engagement be like? There is now a cross-Government group on offshore wind. Do we need something broader?

I have a question for EirGrid, one I raised at a pervious meeting with departmental officials. The Shaping our Electricity Future document contains 48 grid reinforcement projects but no timelines are associated with them. Has EirGrid defined timelines? For example, what is the timeline for the upgrade on the line between Castlebar and Cloone in Leitrim? Will EirGrid publish them, present them to the committee or make them publicly available?

It was reported over the weekend that the Great Island power plant would be closed for four months. Is there concern over that and what are the contingency plans?