Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he plans to implement the motion regarding the North South interconnector that was passed by Dáil Éireann on 16 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14228/17]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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When does the Minister plan to implement the motion regarding the North-South Interconnector that was passed by Dáil Éireann on 16 February 2017 and could he make a statement to the House on the matter?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The North-South Interconnector is important for improving the efficient operation of the single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. On 21 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. The planning process in Northern Ireland is ongoing with the planning inquiry concluding on 27 February 2017.

I am aware of views that have been raised by communities across Cavan, Meath and Monaghan that the transmission lines should be laid underground rather than built overhead. However, all evidence available to me indicates that developing the project underground would cost substantially more and deliver less. In particular, I would highlight the independent expert commission report of 2012 that estimated that the cost of building the project underground would be three times the cost of the overhead solution.

In light of the motions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, I have requested officials in my Department to prepare a proposal for an updated independent report that would consider any changes in cost and technology in the five years since the 2012 report by the independent expert commission. My officials are currently preparing the terms of reference for this study which will bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North-South Interconnector. I intend that this report would provide a comprehensive and independent analysis and it is my intention that the report be completed and published before the end of this year.  Finally, I re-emphasise the Government's continued strong support for this project.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The bottom line is that the majority of Deputies in this House agreed that there should be an entirely new independent expert analysis of the North-South Interconnector complete with estimates of the cost of the project for tourism, agriculture, heritage, health and local communities, a decision with which Seanad Éireann agreed. In my view, that motion must be respected rather than overridden in any shape or form by the Minister and the Government's endless pursuit of what they believe to be the current situation.

I understand that the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Regina Doherty, went on local radio the morning after the motion was passed and told the people of Meath that the Fianna Fáil motion would be implemented in full. Irrespective of whatever terms of reference the Minister intends to introduce in respect of this independent review, will he consult with our party, which put down the motion? I hope he would consult with all spokespeople on this side of the House. What I want from the Minister is a commitment that he will honour the motion that was passed by a majority of Deputies in this House. I received a bound copy of the motion from the Ceann Comhairle. It was passed by a majority of Deputies in this House, so surely that makes it incumbent on the Minister with responsibility for this area to give effect to the democratic wishes and will of this Parliament.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I listened intently to both debates about issues that were genuinely raised by people who had concerns. Similar motions have been passed by both Houses. I have directed my officials to prepare a proposal for me. I have not yet seen it. I have been pressing my officials on that because the argument made by the groups representing local communities I met here was that we did not have the most up-to-date information on costings. Examples were given of other projects in Europe. The advice that is available to me is that they are not comparable but I accept that we should look at these issues independent of the advice that is available to me.

I must also say that judicial review proceedings are taking place. As Minister, I am party to one of those three judicial reviews. One of those reviews includes the North East Pylon Pressure group and an individual who have challenged An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission and its status as the lawfully designated competent authority.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Will the motion passed by this House be the starting point for the Minister's request to his officials to develop the outline of this report of the terms of reference? I accept that the Minister listened to the debates intently. Listening is one thing but taking heed of the motion that was passed is another. In my view, what will show the Minister's sincerity is whether he is prepared to accept the legitimacy of the democratic wishes and will of this House and initiate a report. I accept that terms of reference need to be drawn up but the starting point and finishing point for those terms of reference must be in accord and in concert with the motion passed in this House. Will the Minister confirm to the House that he intends to follow the democratic wishes and will of the Members of this House?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I will be honest with Deputy Dooley. The starting point was not the motion that was passed by this House. The starting point was the meeting I had with the communities where I thought they raised very valid questions. On foot of the raising of those questions, I immediately sought advice from my own technical adviser about the issues that were raised. There are legitimate questions that need to be clarified and this is what I intend to do. This is why I have asked my officials to take action on foot of what the communities have said to me and what has been raised here through the motions in the Dáil and the Seanad. I have not seen the detail of that as of yet. It has not come to me. I am awaiting it. What we need is to provide clear and definitive answers to the questions that have been raised by the communities on numerous occasions.