Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the provision of an east west electricity interconnector; when the facility will be built and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11444/07]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the construction and operation of the proposed east west electricity interconnector; if the precise location has been identified or agreed; if the facility is expected to be privately, publicly or semi-state owned or operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11436/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

The Government is committed to deliver enhanced interconnection on the island of Ireland as well as with Britain as a priority. The Government's Energy Policy White Paper, "Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland", underlines this commitment. This is also the way forward envisaged at European level.

On foot of a Government decision, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is arranging the design of a competition to secure the construction of a single 500 megawatt interconnector between Ireland and Great Britain at the earliest possible date before 2012. While work is progressing on final route selection and technical specification of the interconnector, the CER is also finalising the competition structure, working on the associated competition documentation and related contractual arrangements and going to market as soon as possible within 2007. The Government decision provides that the interconnector will, as a key strategic asset, remain in public ownership and will be owned by EirGrid.

While it is too early to say precisely when the project will be completed, the CER and EirGrid are committed to providing the new interconnector by the timeline the Government has set. In this regard, the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure Act) 2006, which provides for a streamlined planning process for strategic infrastructure developments, includes special provisions designed to expedite the planning process for electricity interconnector projects.

To underpin the development process, new arrangements have been made in respect of the construction and governance under licence of interconnector operators by the CER in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006. In particular, the Act provides that the CER may, with Ministerial consent, secure the construction of an interconnector by one or more means, including by competitive tender. Such consent will be contingent on final Government approval.