Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the all-island grid study; the benefits to having same complete and published; the length of time it has taken to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The All Island Study is a comprehensive assessment of the ability of the electrical power system and, as part of that, the electricity grid on the island of Ireland to integrate significant levels of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The study assesses renewable resources potential and the technical feasibility and the relative costs and benefits associated with a number of renewable generation scenarios in 2020.

All five workstreams of the Grid study have been finalised and will be submitted to my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry Northern Ireland in the coming days. It was commissioned in June 2005 and has been delivered on time and on budget. The study is a significant piece of complex cutting edge research in international terms.

Together with my Northern Ireland colleague, Minister Nigel Dodds, I propose to publish the Grid Study early in the New Year. The findings of the study will inform technical, investment and policy decisions in relation to grid development and renewable energy capacity in line with our target of 33% electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the electricity interconnection projects the ESB has offered to pay for; the reason he has for not accepting these offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35477/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have not received any formal offers from the ESB in relation to the funding of construction of an electricity interconnector. The Government decided in 2006 that the ownership of the East West Interconnector would be vested in EirGrid, the National Transmission System Operator. EirGrid in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation is proceeding with the competitive procurement and construction of the Interconnector.