Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a briefing on the role of An Bord Pleanála in fast-tracking European Union renewable energy projects of common interest; the number and identity of applicants to any part of that process to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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EU Regulation 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E Regulation) lays down rules for the timely development of energy networks in Member States. The Regulation gives priority to twelve strategic trans-European energy corridors and areas (for electricity, gas, oil or thematic areas, such as smart grids or a carbon dioxide network) and provides criteria to identify projects of common interest (PCIs). To be eligible for EU funding under the Connecting Europe Facility financing instrument, a project must first be selected as a PCI by the EU regional groups for inclusion on the Union List. An Bord Pleanála itself has no role in determining which projects get placed on the EU list. The PCI eligibility criteria includes a requirement that projects must be cross-border projects or projects which benefit two or more Member States.

The Regulation also provides for new, more transparent and accelerated permitting processes for such projects, which should generally not exceed 3.5 years. Member States are required to appoint a Competent Authority responsible for making the comprehensive permitting decision and to ensure that the decision is made within the time limits specified in the Regulation. An Bord Pleanála has been designated as the Competent Authority in Ireland. It is a matter for developers to pursue applications under the permit granting process applicable to PCIs with An Bord Pleanála. I have no function in this matter.

The Commission adopted the first EU-wide list of PCIs in October 2013. Of the seven projects relevant to Ireland, two were renewable energy projects. It is understood from An Bord Pleanála that to date only one project promoter has initiated the PCI permit granting process. Documents relating to PCI matters and the permit granting process are available on the website of An Bord Pleanála at the following link .

Regulation 347/2013 provides that the list of projects will be updated every two years and the process to adopt the second list of PCIs is expected to be completed before the end of 2015.