Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Government’s position on locating the cables for the North-South interconnector underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23246/15]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to ask the Minister his position on locating the cables for the North-South interconnector underground and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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In January 2014, an independent expert panel was established to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link and Grid West projects. While the North-South transmission line project is outside the panel's terms of reference, the panel did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects with what had already been done on the North-South project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the panel decided to examine the North-South project. Having considered and discussed all of the material, the panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the North-South project is compatible with the methodologies being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.

On 27 March last, EirGrid published a discussion paper regarding its new independently peer-reviewed draft development strategy which seeks to achieve an optimal balance between the competing demands of publicly consulting on necessary network development, choosing the best emerging technology options for that development and minimising new build. The draft development strategy found that there remains a clear need for the North-South transmission line and that the existing proposal for a 400 kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project. I understand that EirGrid lodged the planning application for the project with An Bord Pleanála on 9 June. Accordingly, I do not intend to comment further on the details of that application while the planning process takes its course.

Following submission of any final application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of the EirGrid projects, a further consultative process will be open to interested parties. Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the making of submissions regarding an application for consent with respect to a development comprising electricity transmission infrastructure. A timeframe of not less than six weeks of public consultation is provided for under the section.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

I understand that in relation to the North-South project, submissions or observations in respect of the application for planning approval may be made to An Bord Pleanála during the ten-week period of statutory public consultation which will commence today.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The chairman of the Commission for Energy Regulation and his colleague from Northern Ireland appeared before the Oireachtas committee this morning. They outlined the importance of the North-South interconnector and the fact of it being of mutual interest for European funding and so forth. They also outlined clearly why the project is so necessary on an all-island basis. In addition, evidence was given by EirGrid to the Oireachtas committee a number of weeks ago that it is possible to put the cables of the North-South interconnector underground. Prior to this we were always informed that it was not feasible and, with respect to engineering, could not be done. On this occasion, however, the representatives admitted that it was possible to put it underground. Given the evidence to the Oireachtas joint committee this morning about the strategic nature of the project and its benefits for all of the island, if it is of such importance it should be put underground. That appears to be the issue for everyone concerned. Why must the people of Monaghan and Meath have these monstrosities forced upon them? The Minister should look at the evidence EirGrid gave to the joint committee, look at the evidence given to the committee this morning and make a decision once and for all to put these cables underground.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Given that the planning process is under way for the North-South project, submissions or observations in respect of the application for planning approval may be made to An Bord Pleanála during the ten-week period of statutory public consultation which begins today. It is open to the Deputy and members of the public to make submissions on that planning application for consideration by An Bord Pleanála. I am not aware of the discussion that took place this morning at the committee but I am aware of some deliberations on this by the committee on a previous occasion, because the Deputy raised it in the House on the previous occasion. I do not wish to trespass into the engineering issues, not being an expert in them, but the question of feasibility, in other words whether it is physically possible to do something, is one issue, and whether it is the correct approach to take is another. It may be possible but it might not necessarily be the optimal approach. I offer that distinction between the two different approaches to the same issue.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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EirGrid has admitted that it is feasible from a technical and engineering point of view. It is possible to do it. It had previously bandied about costs that were 30, 20 and three times the overground cost. It is now down to 1.57 times that cost. We should bear in mind the importance of the project and the impact it will have on the people of Meath, Monaghan and Cavan. I realise the project is now before An Bord Pleanála and I do not expect the Minister to comment on the planning issue, but surely to God decisions must be taken at this juncture.

It is incorrect to put the cables overground and correct to put them underground. Surely to God the Government, or a government, is elected to make the correct decisions. What is occurring is almost like building a three-storey monstrosity where a single storey would do.

The proper approach is to put the cables underground. It is wrong to proceed to planning and put the cables overground. They need to be put underground. The Government needs to consider the facts and, having got the advice from the experts, say it is possible to do this and that it is the right thing to do.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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EirGrid is the statutory agency with responsibility for this project and the grid across the country. It has made a proposal to the board and set out certain options. It has said the option under discussion is the optimal one and has set out the scientific and other evidence that underlies the conclusion it came to. However, it is now up to An Bord Pleanála. It is open to citizens in the course of the planning process to scrutinise and delve into their various issues and concerns, including the question of whether other options were sufficiently or properly examined.