Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The North-South interconnector project needs to be delivered and it is a matter of how we deliver it. A number of findings in the report are important. First, it says that VSC-HVDC is a viable option. Second, it is very critical of the cost-benefit analysis that has been conducted heretofore, specifically in the area of losses over the full life cycle of this project, not just the immediate upfront costs, and it talks about the need for a techno-economic comparison. We also need to look at this project in the context of a European super-grid, with which the Minister will be very familiar, and the compatibility of HVDC technology with that super-grid.

The Minister is here representing the Government. What does he believe the next steps in this project are? How does ESB Networks or anyone else intend to get on the lands of private property owners who are fundamentally opposed to this project proceeding as intended by the Minister?

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