Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I am advised that the island of Ireland, which Senator Finucane is concerned to define in this section, is defined in section 3 in the context of and for the sole purposes of the regulation of an all-island wholesale electricity market, as set out in the Long Title and as prescribed in section 3(6). It is not defined for any other purposes. It is a very specific definition. It is drafted in such a specific way to ensure that in developing the all-island electricity market, account is taken of all the islands within Irish jurisdiction. As the definition is provided solely for the purposes of this section, it could never be invoked in relation to other matters such as mineral exploration rights and fisheries. A more detailed definition of Irish seas is not necessary for the specific purposes of this legislation. It is specific to this legislation. It cannot be used in any other legislation and, therefore, it would not be right to amend it as it stands.