Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Not costs, regulatory issues can be a bigger issue. In fairness, the team within the Department is looking at the broad aspect of this, not just the political focus which is on tariffs. In my conversations with my British counterpart, I have made these specific points to them. It is not just the issue of tariffs, that is relatively minor. It is getting access to the energy that is of importance. It is important to the British economy as much as the Irish economy. Remember that last winter we exported electricity to the UK because they ran a net deficit. I am glad to say that yesterday EirGrid confirmed that they have begun surveying the seabed off the coast of Deputy Kelleher's own county on the Celtic interconnector. I will be meeting with some of the representatives of Réseau de Transport d'Électricité, RTE, the French transmission network when I travel to Cherbourg next month. I hope to meet my French counterpart at the European Council next month as well.

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