Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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292. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason he is not willing to meet a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17189/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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On 8 February, I met with public representatives as well as local community groups in Leinster House regarding the North South Interconnector. Arising from this meeting there was a commitment for my officials to meet with representatives of the community groups to clarify a number of issues that were raised at this meeting. Subsequently, a motion was passed in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann calling for a study to bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North South Interconnector.

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.

In preparing the terms of reference for this study, and also to fulfil the commitment made at the meeting on 8 February, my officials held meetings with representatives of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign on 28 March and the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee on 3 April.

I expect my officials to complete draft terms of reference in the coming days. Given the ongoing work in this area and the input received to date from both public representatives and local community groups, I do not believe further meetings are required at this time, although I will revert back to the members of the Oireachtas shortly.