Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has been informed or given any indication of non-compliance with the strategic environmental assessment directive regarding the gate 3 decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34010/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The regulation of the electricity network is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body and I have no function in the matter.

The Gate process, including the Gate 3 process, is an administrative grid connection process managed by the CER in accordance with its regulatory functions. I am informed by the CER that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was not required in regard to Gate 3 and therefore the issue of non-compliance does not arise. However, as is the case with all Directions issued by the  CER, the Gate 3 Direction was subject to public consultation before being finalised in December 2008.