23. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will meet next. [39716/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

It is no surprise that I am discussing energy costs again. The frustration I have today is that the Climate Change Advisory Council again warned the climate and energy committee that Ireland remained exposed to global fossil fuel shocks because of renewable roll-out. At the same time, I have been contacted regarding a proposed infrastructure crossing charge from an already built solar farm being applied by a semi-State body - an unpublished charging structure of €20,000 per megawatt. It is a ridiculous amount to be giving to a renewable project that goes up to €465,000. That end cost will go to the Irish public. CIÉ needs to be investigated.

Sentiment score: -0.08

36. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit in his Department [39717/26]

Sentiment score: 0.17

The North-South interconnector is now delayed until 2031. By Government estimates, it will cost up to €100 million. To tie back into what I was saying earlier, the semi-State company's own decarbonising strategy is dependent on 80% of renewables. The Taoiseach is aware of CIÉ. I did not get to the end of my contribution. On the North-South interconnector and private wires, these two were complementary to each other. The main thing is about taking the stress and strain off the grid while these interconnectors are waiting for connection. I welcome the developments in the Celtic interconnector. There have been some hurdles but there always are going to be with infrastructure. It is moving a lot quicker than the North-South interconnector. I heard the Taoiseach mention in the House that we need to stop using infrastructure as a political football, worrying about election cycle thinking. If we are going to reduce the entire project cost by using a different method, politicians need to give the real impact of that to their communities. At the end of the day, it is the public and those local households that are going to be paying higher energy costs by these projects being delayed.

Sentiment score: -0.06

The Taoiseach left me out.

Sentiment score: 0.00