Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a review of the proposed north-south interconnector project will be undertaken as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23220/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government does not include a commitment to review the North-South interconnector project.As I indicated in reply to refer to Question No  [20907/20] of 28 July 2020 I do not intend ordering a further review of the project.The option of undergrounding the proposed North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions.My Department most recently published an independent study in October 2018 on undergrounding the interconnector which found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option.  This study is available on the Department’s website.

The North-South Interconnector is vitally important to the development of our energy infrastructure and it is critical to improving the efficient operation of Single Electricity Market and increasing the security of supply across Ireland on an all island basis.  Its delivery is also consistent with commitments made in the Programme for Government to move towards 70% renewable electricity in our energy system by 2030.