Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I remind the Deputy that it was the previous Government which made that decision; I only arrived in June. The decision was part of a general development to ensure the separation of EirGrid as a fully separately owned asset company which would develop this transmission asset. The Government has put its confidence in EirGrid and in my experience to date, that confidence has been well justified. EirGrid is proving to be a highly effective, highly capable operator showing that it can deliver projects of this scale.

I wish to inform the Deputy that EirGrid recently secured Woodland in County Meath as a connection point for the interconnector on the Irish transmission side. In the last few weeks EirGrid has received a connection offer on the British side for Deeside in Wales. PB Power and Anderson PS technical advisors have been commissioned to start work on the design and planning in Britain. My assessment of the project and of EirGrid's capability shows they are fully able to deliver these types of assets. I believe it will be completed in time and the Government's original decision will be seen to be well placed.

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