Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given that the overall cost of the North-South interconnector is €286 million, I suggest that it would be prudent for the Minister and the Government to put the capital phase of this project on hold until we know what impact Brexit will have on its financing and its viability. Given that the project is being presented as a key part of the EU electricity grid, what implications will the departure of the UK from the Union have for it? We are reading various contradictory reports on the possible reintroduction of a hard Border. It is looking very much like we will have a hard Border. There are questions surrounding the transfer of goods and services to the UK and through the UK to other European countries. The potential for associated tariffs is unclear. I suggest that this, when coupled with the concerns of those who are opposed to the project, means the Minister should put the interconnector on hold at this stage. I remind the House that €286 million is a phenomenal amount of State funds. There is huge opposition to this project at present. I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet representatives of anti-pylon groups in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath tomorrow. The bottom line is that people really want to see this project being developed underground. Brexit is the most recent issue to affect this proposal, which has been under consideration for ten years and which needs to be put on hold now.

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