Mr. Tim Cowhig:

I will start with the IGA. We are trying to develop a new export industry for Ireland. A number of constituent parts must be put in place before we can create this new industry. The IGA is part of that, as well as the planning guidelines - Deputy Cowen is correct - and the SCA must be put in place. The opportunity for Ireland is the UK's 2020 targets. There is nothing post-2020. If we are to participate in the opportunity we must be able to develop the export opportunity over the next year or two. There is a long lead time for the development of a project of the scale and size we anticipate. The longest lead time item for such a project is the underground cabling, which must be ordered three years in advance. Therefore, we must have planning permission and everything in place for a project such as this if we are serious about meeting 2020 targets.

We could have a lot of discussion about whether the planning guidelines are good or bad. I agree with most of Deputy Cowen's comments, although there may be nuances. The planning guidelines in Ireland have stood the test of time, and we are reviewing them now, which is good. Deputy Cowen asked whether guidelines should be binding. A company such as Element Power will comply with whatever the planning guidelines are.