The authorities in the Republic and Northern Ireland are pushing ahead with plans to build a second north-south electricity interconnector.

The Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Dempsey and his Northern Ireland counterpart, Mr Barry Gardiner, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment also committed themselves to an all-Ireland energy market yesterday.

Following the meeting, the two ministers jointly launched an all-Ireland energy market framework.

This provides a "strategic blueprint" for the creation of such a market. It outlines the policy context and benefits of an all-island energy market and identifies the short- to medium-term priorities.

The ministers also instructed regulatory regimes north and south to plan for a second electricity interconnector. "This will form a crucial part in ensuring there is a robust infrastructure in place that will meet the needs of the market and enhance security of supply for consumers," said a joint statement.