Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if consideration will be given to a request in relation to the Gridlink Project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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On 27 March 2015 Eirgrid published, for public comment, a discussion paper on Ireland's grid development strategy - "Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow.". The paper, which reviews, inter alia, the Grid Link, Grid West, and North South Transmission Line projects, confirms that Ireland’s energy transmission needs may be met with reduced new infrastructure because of technological developments as well as updated projections of future electricity demand.

The discussion paper, which was subject to an independent peer review, confirms the need to reinforce the transmission system in the South East. It suggests an additional option to the original Grid Link options. The original options would require either (i) the construction of significant amounts of new overhead lines or (ii) the laying of significant amounts of underground cable. The additional option contained in the recently published discussion document would involve an underwater cable in the Shannon estuary and upgrading existing transmission lines rather than building new lines. The discussion paper also puts forward options for Grid West and reaffirms the need for the North South Transmission Line project, affirming that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.

At the time of publication, EirGrid highlighted that it was seeking feedback from the public within 8 weeks. EirGrid is currently holding a series of regional forums on the draft strategy. In response to requests for additional time for stakeholders to consider and respond to the discussion paper, EirGrid has decided to extend the deadline for submission of feedback from the public to 5 June 2015.

It is also worth noting that EirGrid will be holding separate consultations on a number of its projects, including the Grid Link project, later this year. Stakeholders and members of the public will have opportunities to input their views to EirGrid during those consultations.