Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the immediate plans for the North-South Interconnector; the legal basis on which agencies intend to access private lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19965/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Neither I, as Minister, nor the Government have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states that: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. Both EirGrid and ESB Networks will continue to engage with those living closest to the route of the interconnector.

However, I understand that EirGrid and ESB Networks normally seek voluntary agreements with landowners in this type of project.