Mr. Fintan Slye:

The Deputy referred to our explanations about AC and DC. As I indicated earlier, we probably have not been good enough at explaining the detailed engineering difference between what are two very different technologies and how they are used in the grid. I think we need to get better at trying to explain that to people. AC and DC have very different characteristics and uses and different advantages and disadvantages. I accept the Deputy's point that it can be confusing at times. The onus is on us to ensure we explain it properly.

The Deputy also referred to profiteering and privatisation. EirGrid is owned by the Government and the Government has been explicit in stating that the networks will remain in State ownership. In any event, we are only the operator of the grid. We do not own it; we do not make profits from the assets that are built. Choosing one solution over another does not change the bottom line. We act only in the interests of the State and the people on the island.

The Deputy also raised the issue of wind farms and the export for sale of renewable energy. All I can do is reiterate my earlier comment that none of the projects in Grid25 is associated with or will connect any of the wind-based generation that is being developed under the renewables export programme, which is part of the intergovernmental agreement being negotiated currently between this Government and that of the UK. They are separate from that.

The Deputy's final question - I apologise if I missed a question earlier - was about the multiple of times for an AC solution versus a DC solution. The figure of a factor of three is not just our number but the number arrived at by the independent commission. In the early stages, the independent commission reviewed - this is available in their report - all of our previous reports and acknowledged that they were sound and robust but that technology had moved on in the period since those reports were produced. The reports to which the Deputy referred were reviewed by the independent commission and was validated by them as robust analysis, notwithstanding the fact that technology had moved on in the intervening period. In recognition of that we had PB Power update the cost in our report and we published that earlier this year. All of that information - the earlier reports and the report of the independent commission, including the commentary by the Independent Commission on our analysis - are available on our website for anyone to read. I am not giving our view of it; I am giving members the view of the independent commission.