§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland regarding the promotion of an integrated energy market on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [137669]
§ Mr. PearsonI met Dermot Ahern TD. Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in July 2003 to consider further cross-border cooperation on energy in the context of the planned European single market for electricity and gas by 2007.
The discussion covered cross-border electricity trading arrangements, electricity systems interconnection and integration, all-island gas network, regulatory collaboration, climate change, emissions and renewable energy, and energy efficiency polices. We agreed that both Governments have a shared interest in more open and competitive energy markets, reduced energy costs and improved reliability of supply; and that any integration of energy markets should be mutually beneficial.
A joint steering group of senior officials from the two lead departments (Department of Enterprise. Trade and Investment and Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources) and the two regulatory authorities has been established to oversee on-going work on cross-border energy issues.