Mr. Mark Foley:

There were two questions. First, Shaping our Electricity Future sets up a clear pathway for 70% renewables. In doing that, we deal with the issues of engineering and physics. They will be dealt with and we will be able to handle 95% on an instantaneous basis in the power system. The trick in going from 70% to 80% is about economics. For every percentage above that, it is about what is the most economic pathway. It is not about physics. Dr. Ryan is leading on the project this year to figure out the most economic pathway. It can be done in many ways but economics is centre stage. It cannot be done at any price. It has to be done in a cost-effective way so it makes sense.

On interconnection, under the Minister's direction, we will launch a process later in the year to look at the opportunity for Ireland Inc. off the west coast. It is a question of how we deploy this wonderful natural resource that Ireland has. We will model the consultation on Shaping our Electricity Future which has gone down exceedingly well with stakeholders, without exception. We will look at how Ireland Inc. deploys that natural resource, not just for energy but also for economic benefit. I have no doubt that in that study a question that will arise will be how we will massively increase interconnection. Ireland cannot use all that energy because we do not have the demand. How Ireland connects that resource into western Europe will be a key part of that study. We will break cover on that later in the year. It will be managed out of the Minister's office but EirGrid will be the agent of the engineering studies, consultation, etc. We will consult widely on getting people's perspectives. This is about decades of opportunity for Ireland in terms of economic and social benefit. Next time around, we might be talking about how that study is framed and so on.