Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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463. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stage the report to examine the undergrounding of the North-South interconnector is at; when it will be complete; if it will take into consideration the value lost on property and homes; and if it will take into consideration potential health threats and damage to tourism, agriculture and enterprise in the affected locations. [2793/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North South interconnector began on 22 August 2017. The results of this study are expected in Q1 of this year.

The study will address the central point of the motions that were passed in both Houses in February and March of 2017. Certain impacts such as environmental and health concerns will not be assessed since these were explored in detail in the planning process, in particular in the oral hearing overseen by An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning process is the appropriate method by which such impacts are assessed and evaluated. As Minister, I have an overarching duty, unless lawfully challenging a decision, to respect the decisions of lawfully established bodies.

In discussion with elected representatives from the region, the impact on land and property values, and the level of compensation paid in lieu of such impacts, did come up and in response to these concerns I commissioned a study on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. The aim of the study is to provide a significant body of independently collated information on comparative practices in a number of jurisdictions. The results of this study is also expected in Q1 this year.

Both reports will be published and available to all parties concerned.