The North-South interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island integrated single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also facilitate the achievement of the goal of generating up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. The option of u…

It is almost 18 years since we started looking at this. I was a member of the relevant joint committee at the time, and we met with EirGrid and started looking at all of these options. If, as the Deputy says, his preferred option is underground DC cable connectivity, it seems to me that one of the aspects, one of the key truths around that, is that it would see no development in Armagh, Tyrone, Cavan, Monaghan and other Border areas. It would not actually be part of an electricity grid system which could then be us…

We need to get this right. We need to get it right in energy terms and we need to get it right in economic terms. I want to flag my real concern that, because we have not been able to get agreement, there is real potential for a fissure and it will be the North of Ireland which will suffer and the Border counties. That is not what we want to see. In response to Deputy Carthy, I have every interest in seeing balanced regional development and seeing counties Monaghan and Cavan and every county in the North survive. I…

As I said, the Deputy may be in a position someday where those Government decisions have to be taken. I do not think that in those circumstances he would see the civil servants or the public officials as pig-headed. I think they are looking to deliver the best projects for the public good.

My fear is that that may not be possible because we cannot get political agreement on doing anything. That is the real issue that we have to be concerned with. It is the politics of this that we have to get right, as well as the energy analysis.

I appreciate the chance. We discussed it yesterday when we were talking about carbon budgets. I will explain why Cork Harbour will be essential to this economic opportunity. First, many of our energy assets are there. We have the Whitegate refinery and the power stations in Aghada and Whitegate. Most of our big pharmaceutical industries are there, which are large energy users. We have very strong grid connections. However, more than anything else, we have a world-class deep-sea water port of 11 m or 12 m at the qua…

President Zelenskyy today is one of a small band of national leaders who have addressed this House over the past 100 years. I want, if I can, to take some of the words we have heard previously, starting with those of former United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who spoke here some 59 years ago. The words he spoke then are just as relevant today. He stated: And no nation, large or small, can be indifferent to the fate of others, near or far. Modern economics, weaponry and communications have made us all r…

President Zelenskyy today is one of a small band of national leaders who have addressed this House over the past 100 years. I want, if I can, to take some of the words we have heard previously, starting with former United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who spoke here some 59 years ago. The words he spoke then are just as relevant today. He stated: And no nation, large or small, can be indifferent to the fate of others, near or far. Modern economics, weaponry and communications have made us all realise, m…

I thank Senator Norris. It is great to see him here today. That is the spirit which has people from our country bringing humanitarian aid to the conflict zone, with medicines to tend to the wounded and meals to feed the hungry people President Zelenskyy spoke about. They bring defensive shields against the weapons of war. It is in that spirit that the Irish people have opened and will open their doors to provide sanctuary and shelter for women and children in particular fleeing conflict while their men stay at home…

I thank Senator Norris. It is great to see him here today. That is the spirit which has people from our country bringing humanitarian aid to the conflict zone, with medicines to tend to the wounded and meals to feed the hungry people President Zelenskyy spoke about. They bring defensive shields against the weapons of war. It is in that spirit that the Irish people have opened and will open their doors to provide sanctuary and shelter for women and children in particular fleeing conflict while their men stay at home…

St. Augustine.

I thank everyone who contributed to the debate. I will respond to as many of the points raised as I can that I was able to hear in the Chamber. The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, was present for the earlier addresses. I will respond very quickly. It will be rapid-fire but that is appropriate. On the 2018 figure referenced by Deputy Paul Murphy, this Government started in 2020 and that was the first recorded period we could measure our emissions from. We had to set ourselves a target. I agree with him that …

It will be cut all over the country.

We will have to change that and amend that.

We have to develop those Irish companies -----

----- to develop those solutions.

To Deputy Verona Murphy, I would say the ESB is one company that over the State's history has done a huge service to the Irish people and it will do so again now. It has a critical role in delivering all the solutions we need at local level as well as thinking big about large offshore and other projects. It is companies like the ESB, Bord na Móna and Coillte - semi-State, public companies - that work for us and are owned by us which are part of the solution. To Deputy Shanahan, I would say that I was disappointed t…

It is never too late. It is never the wrong thing to do for the Deputies' sons and daughters and all our sons and daughters. This is a better alternative way to go. This is the way the new global economy is going.

They happen to have the best resource. We have an advantage that we can turn to.

Also from Sinn Féin, I agree with Deputy Gould about the need for the taxi fleet to be ahead of the game. I will check with the NTA about the new grant system and make sure that it is getting a fast turnaround. However, one thing is sure. The taxi drivers I have spoken to, and I get a lot of taxis, say that it is a fraction of the fuel costs and they are really good cars.