It's true, Noel, Ardnacrusha is a good example of achievement although at that time the electric footprint for a predominantly non-industrialized small nation with disseminated rural dwellings would have been comparatively small. It would have been a great foundation for energy independence had similar projects continued but we seem to have slipped a little on the way with partisan leadership or lack thereof. Can you imagine diverting that much of GDP to a national rail project about 15 years ago for proper passenger and freight transportation? Opportunities missed:(