Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to the issues outlined in correspondence by Monaghan County Council (details supplied) regarding the proposed north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20907/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The North South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. It will also help us to move towards 70% renewable electricity, a commitment made in the Programme for Government Our Shared Future. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. I am aware that there are concerns in relation to the construction of the interconnector as an overhead line. The option of undergrounding the line has been assessed on several occasions over the years. Most recently, my Department published an independent study in October 2018 on undergrounding the interconnector which found that an overhead line remained the most appropriate option for the proposed interconnector. The study report is available on my Department's website. ​

This study was the latest in a series of studies that reached the same conclusion and I do not intend to order a further review of the project.