Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

-----which are operational matters for EirGrid, or in the planning process, which is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.

EirGrid has been developing proposals for a 400 kV interconnection project from County Meath to County Tyrone. It is a large interconnector. This transmission and interconnection project is a key policy priority from a number of perspectives. It will further consolidate the all-island single electricity market, with which every Deputy agrees, providing for the seamless transfer of electricity across the island of Ireland, delivering greater competition and reducing the need for further investment. It will assist in the integration of renewable electricity and provide security of supply, new business opportunities and more sustainable energy. It will also enhance competitiveness and opportunities for inward investment.

EirGrid applied for planning consent for the development in December 2009 under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as inserted by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. An Bord Pleanála convened an oral hearing on the matter in May 2010. On Thursday, 24 June, it was drawn to EirGrid and the inspector's attention that there was an error in the newspaper public notice and site notice relating to pylon height ranges. Full details of the correct heights of the towers concerned were fully described in the environmental impact statement, EIS, and in the accompanying planning drawings, but the error was in the advertisement. Following consultation with its legal advisers, EirGrid was advised that, under the applicable legislation, there was no mechanism to correct the error within the context of the application. When the original legislation was drafted, there was a presumption that statutory agencies like EirGrid would get something right. EirGrid notified An Bord Pleanála on 29 June of the withdrawal of its application. The Meath-Tyrone 400 kV interconnection project is of significant strategic importance from an all-island electricity market perspective. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has already made clear his strong disappointment that EirGrid has had to withdraw its planning consent application for this important development.

EirGrid is undertaking a full review of the circumstances which led to the error in the public notice and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has asked to be fully informed of the findings of this review. It is estimated that the total costs incurred by EirGrid on this project since 2006 are approximately €8 million. EirGrid advises that most of this work remains valid and applicable to the new planning consent application and that the new application will largely reflect the original application.

EirGrid has been working closely with its Northern Ireland counterpart, Northern Ireland Electricity, NIE, on development of this important strategic project. The planning application for the Northern Ireland section of interconnection development project was submitted by NIE to Northern Ireland's Department of the Environment Planning Service in December 2009. The Minister understands that the planning authorities in Northern Ireland are considering the application and the Deputies will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me or Minister Ryan to comment on a live planning consent application in either jurisdiction.

The two application processes are entirely separate and will be the subject of a separate decision in each jurisdiction. The Minister is advised that EirGrid's revised application will largely reflect its original application, and it is not anticipated that the revised application should have any bearing on the Northern Ireland process. While the Minister has no operational role in respect of transmission development or planning, he expects that EirGrid will work assiduously and quickly to prepare the new planning consent application, with a view to avoiding any further delays in progressing this important project. Once the updated application is submitted, it is a matter for the relevant planning authority, in this case An Bord Pleanála, to bring the process to its conclusion, and the Minister cannot prejudge the outcome of the process. As Deputies will be aware planning legislation is a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the issue of costs borne by applicants or participants in any particular planning consent process are appropriate to that legislation.

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources works closely with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the question of any amendments to the existing legislation is obviously a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is advised by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that since the introduction of the Strategic Infrastructure Act in 2007 over 35 formal applications for major strategic infrastructure projects have been received with 26 now completed. The overall rate of compliance with the statutory objective to decide these cases within 18-weeks is high, with nearly 70% of cases being determined within this period.

I will pass the very specific points that Members have made to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and draw his attention to the points that were made, regarding the cost imposition in particular. The point made by Deputy O'Hanlon as regards the delay perhaps being a mixed blessing in giving developing technology an opportunity to look at under-grounding, is particularly interesting. In my view, however, it is unforgivable for a State agency such as EirGrid to make such a fundamental error as to get an advertisement wrong in a local newspaper. That should not happen.

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