Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the status of Grid 25 in relation to the domestic economy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54529/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Grid25 represents an investment in the transmission system of €3.2 billion over approximately 15 to 20 years, and is central to ensuring Ireland develops a power system that meets our future energy needs in a sustainable manner.Grid25 will reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels by putting the infrastructure in place to enable us use our own natural resources, help us create less carbon waste and enable us to reach our mandatory 40% renewable electricity targets by 2020.Building out major infrastructure is becoming more challenging. Yet most people understand that Ireland cannot attract investment and provide jobs without a modern energy system. Energy supply is at the top of the priority list of those thinking of investing in Ireland. Our ability to rebuild the economy, to attract and retain foreign investment, to sustain Irish enterprise, to create jobs and growth, to deliver regional development and to ensure the wellbeing of our people all depend on excellent energy connectivity.

The Grid25 programme will facilitate both conventional generation and renewable energy projects and it will support future international interconnection.

However, I want to emphasise that Grid25 is completely separate from the work underway in my Department on a possible Inter-Governmental Agreement with the UK on wind export. Grid25 was underway long before the notion of exporting renewable energy was conceived. Grid development is required to serve our own domestic energy needs, and it will be still required regardless of whether any agreement with the UK emerges.