Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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370. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the real input people will have regarding the roll-out and delivery of the Grid25 project, in view of the fact that is they who will fund it through higher electricity costs. [54316/13]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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371. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the purpose of doubling the capacity of the national grid; and if he will provide details of the economic growth projections on which the analysis is based in order to clarify the purpose of increasing the capacity so dramatically. [54320/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.

The Government established the statutory agency, EirGrid, to deliver a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply. EirGrid's Grid25 national programme is vital for future socioeconomic progress in Ireland. Grid25 represents an investment in the transmission system of €3.2 billion over approximately 15 to 20 years, and is central to ensuring Ireland develops a power system that meets our future energy needs in a sustainable manner. Grid25 will reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels by putting the infrastructure in place to enable us use our own natural resources, help us create less carbon waste and enable us to reach our mandatory 40% renewable electricity targets by 2020.

In the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure of July 2012, the imperative for the State Companies, and all developers of energy projects, of having early, transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholder was emphasised. The Government recognises that people are concerned about the impact of new transmission lines and other infrastructure on the landscape, the environment and local communities. I am aware that EirGrid is fully committed to extensive public consultation and that the company has been engaging in a comprehensive process in regard to the Grid25 projects.