Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all procurement related activities will be halted pending the determination of the judicial review in view of the recent decision regarding an incinerator development in Northern Ireland and the impending judicial review of the proposed North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23923/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the procurement process that he approved some time ago will be halted in view of a judicial review in Northern Ireland in relation to the proposed North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23924/18]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the North-South Interconnector project; and if the transmission lines will be undergrounded. [23918/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 22 and 47 together.

The North South Interconnector, as proposed as an overhead line, has full planning permission in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. On 21 December 2016 An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an Oral Hearing completed over eleven weeks from March to May of 2016. On 23 January 2018, full planning permission was also granted for the section of the line that lies in Northern Ireland.

The approval process for that part of the North South Interconnector in Northern Ireland is a matter for the authorities there.  The Judgement referred to in the question relates to a different project although it has been acknowledged  that  it could have wider implications for decision making  in Northern Ireland. I understand that the decision is being appealed by the Department for Infrastructure in Belfast. 

Following the planning consents, and the conclusion of a number of judicial review proceedings relating to the planning decision in Ireland, the construction of the project and any procurement processes that arise from that construction are operational matters for EirGrid and ESB Networks, and one in which I have no function.