Energy concerns and North-South relations on the agenda at Seanad Brexit Committee

The meeting will focus on the implications of the UK’s Withdrawal from the EU in respect of energy matters, the future of the EU and relations between the State and Northern Ireland.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

• Session A:
Engagement on Energy Matters [Eirgrid: Ms Rosemary Steen, Executive Director External Affairs and Mr Rodney Doyle, Executive Director Market Operations; and SSE Airtricity Ireland: Mr Stephen Wheeler, SSE Ireland Managing Director and Gas Networks Ireland: Ms Claire Madden, Head of Legal & Regulation and Mr Padraic O’Connell,  Head of HR & Public Affairs]
• Session B:
Engagement on the Future of the EU [European Movement Ireland, Ms Noelle O’Connell, Executive Director]
• Session C:
Engagement on Relations between the State and Northern Ireland [Dr Mary Murphy, Department of Government, University College Cork, Jean Monet Chair in European Integration]
• Session D:
Engagement on the Future of the EU [Dr Anthony Coughlan, Associate Professor Emeritus in Social Policy, TCD]

Committee Chairman, Senator Neale Richmond, said: “Tomorrow, our members will discuss three key matters with experts in the wake of Brexit.”

"Ireland’s energy markets are closely linked with those in the UK and as such, Brexit could have a potentially damaging impact on Irish energy markets. First we will discuss how we can safeguard our energy supply and encourage ongoing investment in renewable energy in Ireland. EirGrid is planning to build a North-South electricity interconnector running across the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and this will form a large part of our discussion tomorrow as will future energy connections with continental Europe.

“In the afternoon, we will continue our engagement from previous sessions on North-South relations while also looking at the overall future of the EU post-Brexit. We have taken our ongoing membership of the EU, perhaps for granted, so we will hear from both sides with long time Eurosceptic Professor Anthony Coghlan and staunch pro-European, Noelle O'Connell, from European Movement Ireland invited to speak on the future of the EU and Ireland's place therein."

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.