Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If we use the North-South interconnector project as an example, there are some parts of our grid, such as the east-west interconnector from Wales into Rush and beyond through north Dublin, are underground. As we get into the higher kV cables, it is next to near impossible, depending on the typography of the area, to underground them. We have done three independent reviews of the North-South interconnector. I say "we" because I know about this about from being around the Dáil for some years and having an interest in this issue. There have been four desktop studies, all of which have said that the optimum way to deliver this project, not just on delivery but in relation to future maintenance, is overground. The resilience piece is related but separate, if that is not a contradiction. What we have to work on in PR6 is improving the resilience of the grid that is there and our distribution network.

The pole replacement programme was under way. The forestry corridors are critically important too. Storm Éowyn was exceptional, but those exceptions are not exceptions any more. This was just the ferocity of this storm and where it landed. If it had been 50 miles further south, we probably would have had 1.5 million premises out as opposed to 768,000. That is how serious it was. PR6 will assist in the investment. On that, we have a works programme under way right now.

I am bringing draft legislation to the Cabinet - I am aiming for 29 July - in respect of additional powers that EirGrid, but mainly ESB Networks, would need to access the distribution network in places where there are forestry corridors and other things for which we need some requests. They are operating under legislation that, in some instances, is 80 or more years old.