Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources bearing in mind his policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure which states the Government underlines the imperative for early and ongoing engagement and consultation with local communities and all stakeholders before entering planning, his views on whether communities in the north south interconnector area who are potentially affected by the line should be entitled to the same early and transparent consultation process now afforded to the communities in the grid link and grid west study areas in view of the fact that the north south interconnector project is the subject of a completely new planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10762/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The strategic and economic importance of investment in networks and energy infrastructure was emphasised in the ‘Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure’, published in July 2012. The North-South transmission line is vital infrastructure for the island. The lack of sufficient interconnection between the North and South is preventing the full benefits of the all-island market being realised for consumers.

Meaningful and effective public consultation is a central tenet to all of EirGrid’s infrastructure development projects, including the North South 400kV Interconnection Development.

The North South project was launched five years ago and has involved comprehensive public and stakeholder consultation activities, including the opening of dedicated project offices by EirGrid in Navan and Carrickmacross.

Following the withdrawal of the original planning application for the North South 400kV Interconnection Development in 2010, EirGrid is conducting a comprehensive re-evaluation of the project, which will ensure that the new application follows a project development and consultation roadmap in a manner similar to projects such as Grid Link and Grid West.

As part of its Grid25 national transmission development programme, EirGrid has produced the project development and consultation roadmap as a framework for its larger infrastructure projects, such as the Grid Link and Grid West projects. The roadmap provides a clear and structured process, with public and stakeholder consultation occurring from the earliest stage of project development.

Stage one includes identification of a study area to meet the needs of that particular project; the identification of environmental and other constraints within that study area; and the identification of potential route corridors which seek to avoid those identified constraints to the greatest extent practicable or feasible. Each of these elements is subject to public consultation.

Stage two involves further review of previous options, endorsement of a preferred route corridor, and identification of a potentially feasible indicative line route within that preferred route corridor.

Again, these steps are subject to ongoing public and stakeholder consultation and landowner engagement along the identified indicative line route.

Stages 3 and 4 are primarily concerned with confirmation of the final line route, and associated preparation of technical and environmental assessments, with ongoing engagement with the public and landowners, seeking agreement where possible for the location of structures on landholdings.

The final proposal is then submitted to the appropriate authority – usually An Bord Pleanála - for development consent.

The re-evaluation of the North South 400 kV Interconnection Development has comprised a review of all issues and submissions concerning the previous application, as well as information received and issues arising since June 2010. A Re-evaluation Report will be published shortly.

In this context, the overall re-evaluation process, including the publication of preliminary findings in 2011 and related public and stakeholder consultation, effectively constitute stages one and two of EirGrid’s Project Development and Consultation Roadmap.

I understand from EirGrid has assured me that it is satisfied that the re-evaluation process is consistent with the framework, particularly as it will continue to be subject to public and stakeholder consultation and input

In addition, the latter stages of route identification, environmental assessment, and preparation of a new application for development consent will also occur in accordance with the framework of the roadmap.

The project will enter stage three of the EirGrid project roadmap within the next few months. The objective of this stage will be to confirm the preferred project solution.

The goals of this phase of consultation will be to:-

- Engage with landowners on the preferred project solution;

- Conduct environmental studies and surveys;

- Consult with members of the public and other stakeholders on matters to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement;

- Consult with members of the public and other stakeholders on the Re-evaluation Report and the preferred project solution;

- Provide members of the public, landowners and other stakeholders with information on the project and the progression towards a planning application.

As part of the public consultation and engagement activities a further round of consultation will be held. In particular, landowners will be encouraged to participate in this consultation.

Completion of the North South project will further consolidate the all-island electricity market established in 2007, providing for the seamless transfer of electricity across the island, delivering greater competition, reducing the need for further investment in thermal generation and ensuring the availability of low cost generation to the market.