Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister concerned by private sector plans to build two 350-MW east-west interconnectors between Wales and Ireland? If the plans go ahead as scheduled, one interconnector will be delivered by January 2010 and the other by January 2011. Is he concerned, however, that that would make redundant plans for EirGrid's interconnector which is in the process of going out to tender? In that case, the latter interconnector may not be needed due to sufficient capacity from two such connectors plus an additional 500 MW one planned by the Government. Does the Minister have a preference for a privately or publicly-owned interconnector?

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