Martin Daly: Push for Ireland-Spain Electricity Interconnector
Martin Daly asked the Taoiseach about a Memorandum of Understanding on an Ireland-Spain electricity interconnector and its role in energy security and access to renewables. He emphasised the importance of the bilateral relationship - some 15 billion in trade - and said interconnection across the EU is vital to reduce fossil fuel dependence and guard against supply shocks.
Trade and ties: Martin Daly opened by underlining the economic relationship between Ireland and Spain, noting 15 billion in total trade and about 10 billion in goods and services from Ireland to Spain. He framed the meeting as important because Spain shares EU membership, values, culture and history with Ireland.
Interconnector details and talks: Daly asked for comment on the Memorandum of Understanding covering an electricity interconnector that would broaden Ireland's access to renewable energy. The Taoiseach confirmed discussions had taken place with Prime Minister Sanchez and Minister O'Brien and noted the concept is under active consideration.
European context and costs: The Taoiseach referenced Ireland's existing project with France and argued that, given Spain's strong penetration of renewables, a Spain connection makes sense. He warned the project will be costly and complex but said advancing interconnection is a priority during Ireland's European Presidency and links to the Commission-approved grids package.
Energy security and consequences: Both speakers framed interconnection as a tool to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to mitigate the inflationary and supply risks that arise when conflict disrupts energy markets. Daly pressed for progress with Spain as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ireland's energy resilience.
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This hugely important relationship between Ireland and Spain, 15 billion in total in trade, 10 billion in goods and services from Ireland to Spain, to a country that's in the European Union and has shared our values, culture and our history, so it's a hugely important meeting and a hugely important relationship and I'd just like you to maybe comment in particular on the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the electricity interconnector which will help our energy security and improve our access to a broader supply of renewable energy. Thank you Taoiseach. Deputy Daly raised the issue of the Memorandum of Understanding on an electricity interconnector and in my discussions with Prime Minister Sanchez we actually discussed this, Minister O'Brien earlier had discussions with his counterpart. We've had successful force interconnector between France and Ireland, should land next year and that will be a significant factor I think in helping our energy situation. Ultimately, given the very strong penetration of renewables in Spain, it makes sense that we would have a connection there. It will cost a lot and there's a lot of work to be done in teasing it out, but in our view – and part of our European Presidency by the way is to get approval for the grids package that has been approved by the Commission – to me interconnection is key across the European Union, absolutely key in terms of avoiding, first of all reducing dependency on fossil fuels and then avoiding the kind of crises that we have repeatedly if there's a war in a given part of the world and that leads to massive inflationary pressures as well as security of supply issues. So this is something we are taking seriously and we want to progress with Spain. And you're correct, the economic relationship is very strong and Spain is growing economically as well.
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