Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if EirGrid has been instructed to cease work on the proposed north-south interconnector following the passing of motions in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann which requested that no further work be carried out on this project until the independent international study would be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15962/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will have further consultation with the community groups he met previously before finalising the terms of reference for the forthcoming study on the proposed north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15963/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.

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 2012 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.

In light of the motions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, I have requested officials in my Department to prepare a proposal for an updated independent study that will bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North South Interconnector.

My officials are currently preparing the terms of reference for this study and, in that regard, have met with North-East Pylon Pressure Campaign this week and plan to meet Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee next week.

The section of the project in Ireland which received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in December 2016 is currently the subject of judicial review proceedings. The planning process is still underway in Northern Ireland. Construction of the project is not planned to commence before 2018 and I intend that this report be completed and published before the end of this year.