The European Commission has allocated €100m of EU contributions towards the construction of the East-West Electricity Interconnector across the Irish Sea.

Foreign Minister Micheál Martin welcomed the move, after urging the Commission to support the Interconnector in a list of proposed projects.

The Minister met with representatives during a discussion of European Foreign Ministers on European energy security in Brussels, earlier this week.

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Minister Martin said that the Interconnector would improve Ireland’s energy security, promote greater competition in the electricity sector in the all-island Single Energy Market.

He also said it would create opportunities for the export of Irish wind generated electricity, providing a further boost to Ireland’s growing renewable energy sector.

"This announcement is a very positive contribution by the Commission," said the minister.

"Energy investment will be central to renewed growth in the Irish economy and an expansion in high value employment in coming years.

"The Interconnector project will improve our integration into the European energy market and underpin the prospects for investment in the domestic energy sector," added Mr Martin.

(PR/JM)