Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of private wire and direct line applications that were made in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of these applications that were approved; the number that were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53719/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Issues regarding the permission to construct a direct line are first and foremost an issue for ESB Networks in accordance with Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (ERA), as amended.

However, in respect of the provision of permissions to construct a direct line there is an element of overlap between ESB Networks and the work of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU has authority, in accordance Section 37 of the ERA, to also issue permission to construct a Direct line in limited circumstance.

The issue at hand is an operational matter for both ESB Networks and the CRU and therefore not one in which I have a function. The Deputy will be aware the CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas and not to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. Both the ESB and the CRU have dedicated email addresses for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters such as the subject of this PQ. In this instance, I have forwarded the queries raised in the questions to the ESB and the CRU for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.