Spirit of Ireland - Proposals deserve assessment

IN THESE desperate times any group that suggests that it could create thousands of jobs, slash our energy imports by €30 billion over a decade, slash our carbon footprint and create the potential to earn €50bn in energy exports over 10 years runs the risk of being accused of dangerous flights of fancy.

The reality is, however, that we have allowed ourselves, in the past, be seduced by election manifestos far more outrageous and irresponsible than anything promised this week by the Spirit of Ireland group.

This is a voluntary group outside of politics and describes itself as a “team of very experienced engineers, academics, architects, geologists, construction, consultants, legal and finance professionals have been working intensively on initial design and costing of hydro storage reservoirs and the power networks necessary to connect these to the national grid”.