Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)

I agree on the North-South interconnector. I welcome what the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, said when I raised this in the Dáil last week. The estimated decrease of 5% in electricity bills that it could lead to would be very beneficial to families that are struggling.

While we are speaking about energy poverty, I ask that EnergyCloud be fast-tracked. When we have energy curtailment, it could be used to heat a boiler or to give someone assistance when he or she needs it. On regulations, especially for with council housing, I ask that it be made policy that this tiny gadget, which can allow people to switch when there is curtailment, be put into each council house. I can touch base with the Minister on that later.

Briefly, I want to focus on the EV fleet infrastructure. The Minister has already touched on how it is lacking. We saw how when China decreased the cost of solar panels, the influx helped. The Chinese EV market is booming. When it increases and floods the EU market with EV vehicles, we need to be ready. As the Minister said, we have reached our EV targets, but that will keep going. Generally, people go for the cheaper option. If there is an EV vehicle there, they will go for it and it will come. We need our grid to be ready for it. A lot has been done but there needs to be fast-charging as well. I would like an update on that.

I will come back in on private wires. I thank the Minister for the update on that matter.