Mr. Fintan Slye:

No, but just to point out that undergrounding is not always a silver-bullet solution in terms of interacting with communities. It generated quite a lot of heat and resistance there.

Deputy Fitzmaurice asked for clarity on the situation with respect to Grid West. We prepared the report as per the terms set out by the independent expert panel on the underground and overhead options. We published that earlier this year and we have engaged with communities around that. The project is on hold, pending clarity from the developers of the various large wind farms around Mayo and their intentions. As we mentioned earlier, one of them, the Cluddaun wind farm developed by Coillte, was refused planning permission earlier this year. The Oweninny wind farm, parts of which are being developed by Bord na Móna and other parts in a joint venture with the ESB, currently has planning permission but an application to alter this is currently with An Bord Pleanála. Obviously, we would envisage that the developers would want to see the outcome of that planning process before they can provide clarity. We do not think it is appropriate to move forward with an engagement with communities around selecting an option until we get clarity from the developers as to what developments in terms of renewable generation in Mayo will be proceeding. That is the status of the matter: it is on hold pending clarity around that. We have asked urgently for the developers to provide us with clarity on that. Notwithstanding this, the planning process that is currently under way will have a material impact on their plans.

Deputy Fitzmaurice also mentioned Carrick-on-Shannon. There is a huge number of transmission lines in the vicinity of Carrick-on-Shannon, overhead transmission lines, both 220 kV and 110 kV. We could take that one away, have the look at the situation there and see in the context of any upgrades or work that needs to be done whether there is a way to tidy up some of the spider's web, as the Deputy described it. I am aware of the situation around there and we will take that away. I thank the Deputy for the feedback on that.

The Deputy asked a question about the North-South interconnector and whether there was the option to produce more in Northern Ireland. At the outset, I want to say that we are statutorily barred from engaging in generation in any way, shape or form, contracting for it or engaging in the buying or selling of it. What we have is an all-island energy market that was initiated in 2007. Part of that is a mechanism that encourages generators to develop the appropriate generation facilities to meet the needs of the island as a whole. That was a core premise of the all-island energy market, that it would serve all customers on the island. What we have seen is that there is sufficient capacity on the island but that in the specific jurisdiction of Northern Ireland there is not, hence the need for the North-South interconnector.