Dr. Paul McGowan:

I will address the question on whether LNG has a role to play and the ban on exploration. We work within the policy context that exists in the country. The current position is that a ban on awarding new authorisations for offshore exploration is in place. It is worth acknowledging that there were authorisations in place prior to that policy's introduction. They still exist and may bring forward natural gas in Ireland. It is purely a matter for the developers as to whether that happens.

Bearing that in mind, I will repeat what we have said in the past, that is, we would neither rule in or rule out LNG. We think that the long-term security of supply study that has been undertaken by the Department should consider LNG as part of the overall equation and whether it is required for Ireland. We are looking to move to a system based on renewables and gas for the next period. On that basis, we want our gas supply to be secure. We are asking for that question to be considered in the upcoming security of supply review.