Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is aware of the importance of having a guaranteed, consistent energy supply at reasonable prices, particularly for international investment. That is a key component for any foreign direct investment company looking across the world as to where they will locate and invest. The other issue is the competitiveness of the internal Irish economy itself and if there is a situation where there are tariffs on electricity or on the movement of electricity or energy supplies if I-SEM is not addressed in a proper way, it could be the case, post Brexit that those difficulties and impediments to the free movement of energy supply North and South would be there. As we move to try to integrate an all-Ireland market in this area, I welcome that the Minister has met his counterparts and is proactive and I urge him to continue to do that because this is of critical importance in the context of the climate action and environment brief he holds but also in business, employment and innovation from my perspective. It is a key component in ensuring we remain competitive as an economy.

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