John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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588. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when EirGrid will announce its preferred route for the Grid Link project; and when announced, if there will be public consultation before the independent expert panel reviews the proposal. [9005/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Independent Expert Panel was established in January 2014 to oversee preparation by EirGrid of the comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors.

I am advised that EirGrid submitted a report on the Grid West project to the Panel in early February 2015. That report was considered by the Panel at its last meeting on 24 February 2015. I am also advised that the Panel requires more clarity in respect of certain parts of the report and will be engaging with EirGrid over the coming weeks in that regard. I understand that the Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid West project in April.

The Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid Link project in Quarter 3 this year.

The opinions provided to me by the Panel will address the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports. The Panel will also oversee the publication of the reports by EirGrid prior to the company proceeding to public consultation on the two projects.