Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of discussions he had with Eirgrid in relation to the North-South electricity interconnector; if he is aware of the widespread opposition in communities in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath placing the transmission lines underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16156/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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EirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. As detailed in the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure, the Government does not seek to direct EirGrid in the development of energy infrastructure to particular sites or routes or technologies.

EirGrid made a formal application for the North-South 400kV Interconnector project to An Bord Pleanála on 9 June 2015. This is the subject matter of a statutory independent planning process currently before An Bord Pleanála who conducted an oral hearing on the application which concluded last month. I am aware that many of the contributors to the oral hearing raised concerns in relation to aspects of the project. However, as the planning process is still ongoing it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.