Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his questions, which I will answer directly.

The Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report was clear on the risk to Irish society and the economy should an unexpected event happen to our gas supply, most of which comes from Scotland. Between 25% and 30% comes from Corrib and the remainder is imported. We have seen activity around our gas interconnectors and communication cabling by other, foreign actors and shadow fleets. It is something we cannot ignore. To reiterate, the FSRU will not just be State led but State owned and managed through GNI. The infrastructure we put in place can be used for other things in the future like offshore wind. The floating infrastructure that will be purchased, which is the boat, could be sold on in future. However, we need to have that supply should something happen to our existing supply so we can effectively keep our hospitals and communities going while that is fixed. It is clearly set out in the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report and in the Cambridge analysis relating to the report, which I also published. I will use this opportunity to say there is some disparity between the cost I had given and the cost in the Cambridge report. The cost I had given on capital was the initial capital upfront cost. There will be operational expenditure too, and the operational expenditure cost is coupled with the initial capital. There was a question between €300 million and €900 million. There is €300 million on capital and approximately €50 million per year to manage the facility. It is a significant investment for our people. I have not seen any letter from An Coimisiún Pleanála yet. I have certainly not received it. The planning authority may ask a Department about the Government position. Genuinely, I have not seen a letter and have not received it. When it comes up, I will inform the committee if it is appropriate for me to respond to it. I have not seen it.