Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid25 project; when the review of this project will be completed; the way this project will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3771/15]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the EirGrid project, could the Minister provide an update on what reports he has received in his Department? When will the review of this project be completed? This is causing major concern in communities the length and breadth of the country and he might give us an update on where the review is at and when it will be before the Dáil.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Grid25 comprises more than 100 projects, ranging from large projects such as Grid West, Grid Link and the North-South interconnector to smaller projects such as station works or upgrades of existing transmission lines around Ireland. EirGrid reviews all projects at regular intervals and is currently undertaking such a review. The overall Grid25 strategy was forecast to cost up to €4 billion at the time of its launch in 2007. In 2010, the identification and use of new technologies, together with the re-optimisation of the Grid25 programme, enabled EirGrid to reduce the estimated cost of the programme from €4 billion to €3.2 billion. The outcome of the current review referred to by the Deputy is expected over the coming weeks.

Regarding two of the larger projects, Grid West and Grid Link, an independent panel of experts, chaired by Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness, was established in January 2014 to examine these projects. The panel met on several occasions last year to consider and approve the terms of reference for comprehensive route-specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are required to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The terms of reference for the work to be carried out were published in May 2014 and are available on my Department's website.

EirGrid is undertaking or commissioning the necessary work in accordance with those terms of reference set by the panel. In due course, the panel will provide an opinion to me on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports and will oversee the publication by EirGrid of the two studies and reports prior to public consultation on the two projects by EirGrid.

The panel was also asked to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects with what has already been done on the North-South project.

In July, the panel announced its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the North-South project was compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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When does the Minister expect these reports to be published? Surely the panel is keeping him and his Department informed of the situation. When will the reports be available for public consultation so that people can make their minds up about the issues concerning them and their communities?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Regarding the expert panel's report, I expect to have an opinion on the Grid West and Grid Link projects at some time in the first and third quarters, respectively, of this year. I am expecting a report on EirGrid's ongoing review of the Grid25 programme in a matter of weeks. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date, but I would say weeks and not months.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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When the Minister has the report, the least he might do is afford the House an opportunity to discuss it. As he well knows, the communities have significant concerns. These have abated somewhat during the wait for the reports, but the latter need to be published. Is the Minister concerned about the works that were proposed at the start of the process? Are they still necessary?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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That is what the report will tell us. It involves a needs analysis. The question of what capacity needs to be developed has arisen many times during the discussions on and controversies surrounding the grid. As the Deputy is aware, the level outlined in the 2007 analysis was reduced in 2010. EirGrid is projecting future need in the context of 2015. The Deputy is right in that as soon as I have that information, it should be in the public domain and there should be a discussion in the House. I am in favour of the maximum amount of information and technical expertise being available to the public and Deputies as we debate these questions.