be deployed in Ireland out to 2030, as of July 2016 this forum has not been convened. Celtic interconnector In 2016 proposals for a $1 billion Irish-French subsea cable, with a capacity for 700 MW, close to the 900 MW output of Moneypoint, were discussed between both countries. With over 70% of French electricity generated from its fleet of fission-electric reactors, if connected, Ireland would further receive electricity from overseas nuclear energy suppliers, with the commencement of construction suggested for 2021, the Celtic Interconnector is expected to be completed by 2025. It would then become Ireland's only connection to an EU member state, following the withdrawal of the UK, in Brexit. Nuclear fusion As with the other members of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), Ireland funds nuclear fusion energy research, including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, now known simply as the ITER project, with the Irish contribution being managed by the National Centre for Plasma Science & Technology at Dublin City University. Donegal uranium prospecting In 2007, the Green party which were the political architects behind the 1999 prohibition in the Republic of Ireland of the generation of fission-electricity, further prohibited the granting of exploration contracts to 2 unnamed mineral prospecting companies, which were requesting to explore the west of county Donegal. The then energy minister, the Green party's Eamon Ryan, signaled he was denying the exploration licenses as he is "against" nuclear energy. Ryan has also stated that "It would be hypocritical to permit the extraction of uranium for use in nuclear reactors in other countries, while the nuclear generation of electricity is not allowed in Ireland". The suggested mining method of In-situ liquid extraction of underground uranium, was deemed the most likely had the prospecting developed into a mining license. Ireland is a member state signatory to the Nuclear Exporters Committee, which requires indigenous exploration and processing companies conduct all uranium-ore extraction and handling. The international committee monitors the exporting of process knowledge and techniques and therefore requires each member state to indigenously develop the processing techniques and manufacture all the equipment that relate to natural uranium ore, within its own borders. See also Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland List of power station sites in Ireland ISLES project - EU funded Irish-Scottish feasibility project to assess collaboration on Wind and Wave energy projects. Spirit of Ireland - a large pumped-storage construction concept, that may be required to