Mr. Niall McLoughlin:

There were a couple of questions there. Ireland’s current position is to maintain its membership of the energy charter treaty in the context of supporting the agreement in principle on the modernisation process to align the treaty with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the environmental concerns integral to it while having regard to the benefits to international energy security it may provide, particularly at a time when energy security has been threatened. My understanding, from colleagues on the energy side, is that they are awaiting the outcome of the final stages of the modernisation process towards adoption at the energy charter conference, which I think is due to be held in November, while reserving the option to support a co-ordinated withdrawal from the charter should the effort fail, and as considered appropriate by the Government to achieve our national renewable energy and climate ambitions. I hope that point is clear.