Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to maintain security of supply for consumers in Northern Ireland by retaining the ability to access and trade with European electricity and gas markets.

I recognise the benefits of the all-island energy market to Northern Ireland. Security of supply both to domestic consumers of gas and electricity, as well as business and agriculture is vitally important.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Dunlop, has met with industry representatives as part of the round of Business Advisory Group meetings, and I have spoken to senior industry representatives and Northern Ireland Executive ministers to hear first-hand the range of issues that generators face.

The Government remains supportive of the proposed new developments, as well as the move to the Integrated Single Electricity Market.