Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Both witnesses delivered a stark message. My first question is for Mr. O'Donoghue and relates to how this crisis fits into the aims and objectives of the European Green Deal. Is this a crisis that can be exploited to reach net zero emissions by 2050?

I will ask Dr. Deane about the Irish situation. The Irish regulatory authority is the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. I have heard it said that perhaps the CRU needs more powers - excuse the pun - especially in the area of reduction of demand, which is what the European Union is endeavouring to achieve with the regulation. Does the CRU need more powers to deal with this unprecedented crisis?

My third question, on the development of offshore wind energy, is also for Dr. Deane. How is Ireland doing in that regard? It appears it is not doing particularly well at the moment. Is Dr. Deane satisfied that plans are in place to ramp up the production of offshore wind energy? I will also ask a related question about the European regulation of gas storage capacity. Dr. Deane dealt with it in his opening statement. Will he expand on the Irish position on gas storage capacity and what we need to do about it?

The message that both Dr. Deane and Mr. O'Donoghue have delivered is sobering in that this crisis will last this and next winter. We can take some consolation from the fact that the outlook is a little better in the medium term.

Those are my initial questions. If either of the witnesses wants to answer all the questions, that is also fine.