Mr. Michael Mahon:

We will not disclose that until we conclude the process. To be fair to everyone involved, we will not give an update on the numbers. We are happy with the level of engagement from many of the landowners, however. That does not mean that every landowner is accepting the offer that is on the table. We had to clarify that this is the first and final offer. There is not another offer coming, although that was suggested in some of the narrative that is out there.

Separate from that, the ESB concluded the construction contract framework and put it in place at the end of last year. I do not have the details to hand but it has several contracted parties that are ready to mobilise the construction of the project. It has construction orders for the materials already in place and can give the green light at a point. From previous engagements with ESB, it indicated that it wishes to get to approximately 70% land access secured through a voluntary and non-voluntary process before construction starts. When construction begins, one wants to be able to continue to move the process along. The next step after the voluntary process is a compulsory process. We have outlined that to all the landowners because it is important we move along the project and develop that. We also had a significant amount of community engagement at meetings earlier last year in County Meath and separate meetings in November in counties Monaghan and Cavan. Those were opportunities for us to meet people and address many of the questions that were out there.