Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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720. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a scenario (details supplied) is correct in view of the passing of the Fianna Fáil Oireachtas motion concerning same and the stay currently imposed by the judicial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18158/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The news article referred to by the Deputy  outlines the Code of Practice drawn up by the ESB and IFA in 1985 and an agreement between the IFA and ESB Networks/EirGrid in 2009, which set out a framework for compensation payable to landowners for overhead transmission lines. In relation to the development of the North South Interconnector, three forms of payment were set out as part of the planning process. These are:

- landowner payments which apply to any lines placed across lands;

- proximity payments which apply to residential properties within 200 metres of the project; and

- a community fund for those areas in proximity to the project.

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.

In light of the recent motions in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, 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 in advance of the drafting  of terms of reference 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.

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.