Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the implementation of the Fianna Fáil motion that was passed by Dáil Éireann regarding the North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13039/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he has taken since the passing in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann of Fianna Fáil Private Members' motions regarding the proposed North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13890/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise as requested in the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motions passed in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13891/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 53 and 64 together.

The North-South interconnector is important for improving the efficient operation of the single electricity market, SEM, and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. Currently, there is only a single high-capacity electricity interconnector between the transmission systems in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The proposed interconnector will add a capacity of 1,500 MW and remove a significant bottleneck, leading to the improved operation of the SEM.

On 21 December, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South interconnector project. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process that included an oral hearing completed over 11 weeks from March to May of last year. The hearing considered submissions and witness testimony on a range of concerns, including the impacts on people, health, archaeology, flora, water, soils, land use and traffic. The inspector evaluated the testimony presented in favour of and against the overhead and underground solutions. In her report, she examined these issues thoroughly and concluded that a high-voltage alternating current overhead line was the best technical and economic solution for the interconnector in order to achieve the specified national energy objectives.

The planning process in Northern Ireland is ongoing, with the planning inquiry concluding on 27 February 2017.

I am aware of the views that have been raised by communities across Cavan, Meath and Monaghan to the effect 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, which estimated that the cost of building the project underground would be three times the cost of the overhead solution. I would also highlight the July 2014 work and findings of the Government-appointed independent expert panel, which found that the studies and work undertaken on the North-South transmission line project were compatible with the methodologies being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.

In light of the motions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, I have requested my officials to prepare a proposal for an updated independent report that would consider any change in cost and technology in the five years since the 2012 report by the independent expert commission. My officials are preparing the terms of reference for this study. I intend for this report to provide a comprehensive and independent analysis and to be completed and published before the end of this year. I re-emphasise the Government's continued strong support for this project.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I feel a sense of déjà vu, as I am sure the Minister does. During Question Time on 7 February, I appealed to him to withhold Government funding from the capital phase of the North-South interconnector project until such time as the impact of Brexit had been realised. Since then, the Houses passed Fianna Fáil motions calling for an independent expert analysis of the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector, so I was shocked by the Department's responses to my parliamentary questions on when the motion was due to be put into action.

The Government is showing a blatant disregard for the democratic process by ignoring the recent Dáil and Seanad motions, which is clearly the plan, given the responses. The Minister plans to narrow the motions down to a minimal focus on the cost analyses of published studies and ensure that the commencement of construction in 2018 is not affected.

It is in stark contrast to the motion which was passed, which included incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and the cost of undergrounding the North-South interconnector, but it also included evaluating the potential impacts of both undergrounding and overgrounding the North-South interconnector on surrounding areas considering such aspects as its impact on local tourism, health, landscape and agriculture and heritage.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Again, unfortunately, the Minister's reply is most disappointing. In the week following the passing of the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion on the North-South interconnector, I asked An Taoiseach and the Minister what actions would be initiated by the Government on foot of the motion. Unfortunately, the only definitive response the Minister gave us was that construction would commence in 2018.

The Minister referred to the report of An Bord Pleanála. I do not think any member of the Government should quote from such a report because it rubbished the contribution of Members of the Oireachtas, including Ministers who participated in the oral hearing. All of the Oireachtas Members from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath participated in the oral hearing but it is as if we were not even there.

We had a good meeting with the Minister when he met representative organisations from Monaghan, Meath and Cavan. He referred earlier in response to Deputy Dooley that the Department would finalise the terms of reference on the very narrow and restrictive report that will be initiated following the passing of the Fianna Fáil motion. The Minister promised on the morning of the meeting that he would have further consultation both at official level and political level with the organisations representing communities in the three counties. Could he give me a firm assurance that before the terms of reference are finalised he will meet a small representative group from the organisations that have been actively campaigning in order that they can outline the strong views, concerns and worries of communities in the three counties?

The Minister referred previously to his contribution in getting various issues included in the programme for Government, which we all welcome. There is a specific commitment in the programme for Government to better engagement by Government in the advancement of energy policy, with specific reference to the provision and development of energy infrastructure.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy must conclude.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Our motion specifically encompassed the worries and concerns of communities and the need to have an overall review of the proposed project.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We are running out of time and there will not be time for a response from the Minister.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I again ask the Minister to go back to what was sought in the motion and ensure the report that is commissioned is meaningful.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We must move on to the Topical Issue debate. The Minister must make the best of one minute.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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There is a commitment in the programme for Government to better engagement with communities on energy projects. Deputy Eugene Murphy and I discussed one of those projects in my constituency. I cannot reopen every decision that has been made by every Minister prior to me, but what I can do is ensure that we learn from the mistakes of the past in terms of some of the projects. That is the commitment that is contained in the programme for Government.

In response to the Deputy's comment on An Bord Pleanála, as he is aware there is a judicial review and I cannot comment on the matter as I am one of the named parties in one of the judicial reviews, as is the Department.

The Government is not providing funding for the North-South interconnector. Funding will be provided by electricity users of the interconnector across the country who will be charged via the operators of the network. That has always been the case. The purpose of the interconnector is to stabilise the grid north and south of the Border.

As I said previously to Deputy Dooley, my starting point was the engagement I had with the communities here in Leinster House before any motion was brought to the House. I listened to them. I believe I was the first Minister since Deputy Eamon Ryan to meet with them and listen to the points they raised. They raised legitimate questions that require answers. That is the reason I facilitated further engagement at official level. I sought clarification from the expert technical advice within the Department. That is the reason we are now putting terms of reference in place.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister have a further meeting with the representatives of communities before the terms of reference are finalised? It is very important for the Minister to send the message that he is still willing to meet with those who will be affected.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I will engage through the public representatives. I gave no further commitment at the time for follow-on meetings. As to whether I will engage with public representatives in the House, of course I will.