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

I am taking Questions Nos. 27, 52 and 53 together.

The 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure states "The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies." On 19 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. My Department has been involved in one of two judicial review proceedings that have been brought against this planning decision. On 22 August this year the High Court upheld the development consent granted by An Bord Pleanála for the interconnector. A second judicial review is scheduled for hearing later this month.

Following the motions calling for an updated independent study that were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann earlier this year, I have commissioned two independent studies designed to address the main points of the motions, as well as key concerns expressed by parties opposed to the development of an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. I have approved the appointment of independent experts to carry out this study and their work commenced in August. The consultants are Bo Normark who will chair the group, Professor Ronnie Belmans and Professor Keith Bell.  The independent expert group is expected to deliver its final report by the end of next January. I have also commissioned a study of the levels of compensation provided for land and property owners in proximity to high voltage transmission lines in a European context.​ Work is also under way on this study and its results are expected in the first quarter of 2018.

In September 2017 the ESB published a tender notice for works related to the project, including the design and testing of equipment. These works have very lengthy lead-in times and I understand the procurement process will take a minimum of nine months to complete and can be cancelled at any time. The results of both commissioned studies will be published prior to the conclusion of the procurement process.  In addition, no work will be commissioned during the procurement process. The planning process for the section of the project in Northern Ireland is ongoing, following the conclusion of an oral hearing on 27 February 2017.

See this speech in context