If the Minister is not proposing to answer Deputy Sherlock's question, I would ask whether there have been any preliminary or other indications given to the Government that there are likely to be other discoveries made in the Irish Sea or elsewhere? In that event or in the event that there are no such guarantees, is the Minister making other arrangements or seeking a link-up to a European grid for the continued supply of natural gas to consumers here?

I am not able to read into the future and predict what will happen. There is a certain degree of confidence that another find is possible. The question of availing of supplies from the Continent is very far down the list of priorities.