Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the north-south interconnector is still considered an EU project of common interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22504/23]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Eirgrid has informed him of the change of the status that the North-South Interconnector is no longer a project of common interest; if so, when this was communicated to him; and if he will provide a copy of any such communication. [22639/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 167 together.

Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

On 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union and became a third country. On 31 December 2020, the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and it is provisionally applicable since 1 January 2021. Discussions to establish the 5th PCI list took place during 2021, with a draft list formally announced by the European Commission in late 2021, before being approved by the European Council in March 2022. As part of the process to establish the 5th list, the Commission announced that many PCI applicants for infrastructure between the EU and Third Countries, including the United Kingdom, did not meet the technical criteria in relation to cross-border benefits between EU Member States and were therefore ineligible for inclusion on the 5th PCI list.

Due to Brexit and Ireland’s geographical position, this decision by the Commission disproportionately impacted Irish PCI applicants, including the North-South Interconnector which was not included on the 5th PCI list for this reason. However, Irish projects are eligible for inclusion on the 6th list following the introduction of Projects of Mutual Interest under the amended TEN-E Regulation, which was enacted in 2022. The North-South Interconnector is currently being considered for inclusion with a draft list expected to be published by the European Commission later this year.