Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The North-South Interconnector is important for improving the efficient operation of the single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. On 21 December 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an oral hearing completed over 11 weeks from March to May last year. The planning process in Northern Ireland is ongoing with the planning inquiry concluding on 27 February 2017.

I am aware of views that have been raised by communities across Cavan, Meath and Monaghan that the transmission lines should be laid underground rather than built overhead. However, all evidence available to me indicates that developing the project underground would cost substantially more and deliver less. In particular, I would highlight the independent expert commission report of 2012 that estimated that the cost of building the project underground would be three times the cost of the overhead solution.

In light of the motions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, I have requested officials in my Department to prepare a proposal for an updated independent report that would consider any changes in cost and technology in the five years since the 2012 report by the independent expert commission. My officials are currently preparing the terms of reference for this study which will bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North-South Interconnector. I intend that this report would provide a comprehensive and independent analysis and it is my intention that the report be completed and published before the end of this year.  Finally, I re-emphasise the Government's continued strong support for this project.

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