Mr. Kevin Brady:

In terms of Deputy Stanley's opening remarks, I suppose I would start with the triumvirate of the clean energy package, Brexit and our international obligations. The clean energy package, in particular, the governance framework and the national energy and climate plan, is designed to encompass our international obligations, such as the Paris agreement and the emissions reduction. It is all about moving to the period 2021 to 2030. That governance framework covers that and I suppose there is a consistence there. Brexit throws an issue in there that is a significant challenge.

Deputy Stanley also commented on the independence and security of supply. This was a real key theme that came out of the day in Boyle, County Roscommon. A number of the different break-out groups all made a similar point, which was we need to use renewable energy and increase our sustainability in Ireland. For many who attended, the figures for import dependency, that in 2015 Ireland imported 88% of the energy we use and imported 97% of the natural gas used from the UK, were somewhat of a surprise. Many knew we imported a lot of energy but this showed the stark reality and that 50% of energy is derived through oil.

In terms of the Deputy's two specific questions, the single electricity market and the need to continue further co-operation is one of our key priorities as set out. The way we are looking at doing that is as follows. Prior to any Article 50 declaration or prior to negotiations starting, what we are doing is taking the opportunity to educate as many of our peers in Europe to discuss with our peers in the UK and Northern Ireland so that they can understand our commitment to the single electricity market and our commitment to an ongoing relationship with the UK but in a European context.

In terms of the point on renewable sources, when energy is imported or exported across any interconnector, for instance, between Ireland and Northern Ireland, between Ireland and the UK with the East-West interconnector or, indeed, between the UK and France, the energy is not classified as green, brown or nuclear. There is no origin with that energy. It is merely pure electricity. We all adhere to the same standards because we all are member states of the European Union. That applies to environmental air quality, etc. In terms of energy from a coal-fired powerstation versus energy from a wind turbine, it is very much measured in country of production. Imports or exports crossing an interconnector are not measured as such currently. In fairness, there are no proposals in the clean energy package to change that.

In terms of disruption of supplies, Ireland is dependent on imports of gas. In terms of the negotiations, there is the security gas directive on which I might pass over to my colleague to give more details, but being in a European legislative framework ensures where there is a shortage of gas in Ireland that the UK is legally bound to help us. Of course, before that was in place we had intergovernmental agreements on the interconnectors and the gas interconnectors. The key point for us is as part of the Brexit negotiations the first priority we set out is to ensure continued secure trade in energy requires no tariffs and a legal mechanism to ensure that security of supply. I am not sure whether Mr. Goodwin may want to add anything on energy security.