Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 62 together.

The North-South interconnector is an essential transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland, leading to a more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island. It will facilitate the connection of 900 MW of renewable generation, enough to power 600,000 homes through green energy. As a transmission project, it is being undertaken by EirGrid, which is independently regulated by the CRU, which in turn is accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not me as Minister. The Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure which states that the Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites, routes or technologies.

In March 2023, Government noted and published an independent report into the project which concluded that it would not be feasible to run the North-South interconnector underground, confirming that the findings of the 2018 report remained valid. As Minister, I have operated within the regulatory and policy framework regarding the delivery of electricity infrastructure and have not had meetings with community groups regarding the project. However, EirGrid had been and will continue to engage with the local communities and elected representatives affected by the development of the North-South interconnector.

Given the relevance of the project to the overall development of our electricity grid, when necessary I receive briefings from my officials on the current position, including for example in advance of my recent meeting with Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy in the North, who has acknowledged the benefits which the interconnector will bring, including lower cost electricity, improved security of supply and greater investment in renewable electricity. In short, the most recent meetings I have had are with my officials and with Conor Murphy.

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