Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The position is that the project is at planning stage and before An Bord Pleanála. As the Senator is aware, the project has a long history. From as far back as 2007, there have been a number of processes involving and providing for consultation. When my predecessor, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, held this ministerial portfolio, he set up an expert panel to advise and to report to him and subsequently to me on EirGrid's proposals. EirGrid has reported to me on both Grid West and Grid Link. The panel was also asked to examine the North-South interconnector and apply itself to the question the Senator asked, namely, what methodologies were employed by EirGrid in assessing the viability or otherwise of undergrounding and overgrounding of the North-South interconnector. The expert panel was satisfied that the methodologies applied by EirGrid to the North-South interconnector were as robust as those employed in the case of Grid Link and Grid West. They are matters that have been addressed and on which there has been considerable consultation. I accept that there are concerns about the North-South interconnector with respect to some of the areas through which it is proposed that the interconnector would run, but I cannot emphasise sufficiently - the Senator did not refer to this - the critical importance of the project for the provision of a safe and secure electricity supply both here and in the North. This is a critical North-South project of enormous importance to both jurisdictions. That is the approach I have taken to the matter in terms of its critical importance to us.

As for the planning process, it is robust and every opportunity will be available to people to raise their concerns about the issue, but I will not trespass on these issues, given that there is a statutory body, namely, An Bord Pleanála, dealing with the application. It will make its decision in due course.