Mr. Fintan Slye:

This was specifically addressed by the chief executive of the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland at a conference recently. She was categoric that the North-South interconnector had to proceed because of the serious consequences for security of supply in Northern Ireland. The supply and demand balance will move into deficit after 2021, which threatens the ability to keep the lights on in Northern Ireland, that most fundamental touchstone of provision of electricity supply to fuel an economy. She was quite clear that in terms of what is needed to be done, there is no plan B and we really need to move forward with this and deliver it.

This is a critical project because it will provide security of supply for consumers in Northern Ireland and across the island. The all-island electricity market has been in place since 2007 and it has served customers well. It is a robust wholesale market. Part of the initiative in this regard was to create a grid that would allow power to flow seamlessly across the island to where it is needed. The key link is the North-South interconnector and it needs to be delivered.