Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the reports in the Sunday newspapers to which the Deputy referred. They are correct in that we have seen, in recent months, a series of amber alerts on our system pointing out the real difficulties we have. These are due to a whole variety of different complex issues, largely gas infrastructure being out of commission. They are also due to a lack of investment in the grid and our lack of options to move and balance power across the island at local and national levels. One of the other things which is becoming increasingly clear, and which I see in my everyday life as a member of the Government, is that new industrial developments and employment opportunities are increasingly going to those areas where the grid is secure and accessible. This is one of the reasons an overground solution presented itself. Such a solution allows for the north east to attract industry which will need to connect into that grid. This will only work, however, if it is part of a stable grid. This requires North-South interconnections. As we develop more and more renewable power, we will be able to balance our system and provide jobs, which is what this grid interconnection will do more than anything else.

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