Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that the system will be shut down for two to three weeks to enable whatever technical remedial works are necessary to allow the interconnector to function as intended. I can assure the Deputy that I was not trying to say anything. Whatever I wanted to say, I said. I am not trying to say anything and I am not trying to conceal anything. There is nothing unusual about a complex technical project such as this requiring occasional maintenance for as long as it is operational. The company responsible for entering into the contract with the companies that installed the system is engaged in discussions with them. It is a contractual matter for EirGrid. EirGrid has worked very well and co-operatively with Eircom on the localised interference with a small number of telephones. It is a purely technical issue. Whether it is a question of the installation of filters or something else, work has already been done to allow the interconnector to function at 250 megawatts. The remaining remedial work will be done during the two- to three-week closure I have referred to. After that, it will be a matter for EirGrid to rely on its contractual rights in raising the issues referred to by Deputy Clare Daly with the company or companies that actually did the installation work.

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