Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 47 together.

The North-South Interconnector it is a critical infrastructure project for the island of Ireland, which is being developed by Eirgrid as electricity Transmission System Operator. It will be the backbone of a fit for purpose electricity system that will ensure energy security, allow more renewables to be used on the island, reduce the need to use fossil fuels for electricity generation, reduce electricity costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Eirgrid carry out their functions independently and under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Eirgrid, as the organisation with responsibility for delivering the project, have been and continue to engage with local affected communities. The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure 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’.

In March of this year Government noted the latest independent expert report into the North South Interconnector, which found that the conclusions of the 2018 International Expert Commission on the decision to build the North-South Interconnector above ground remain valid.

I have forwarded the Deputy’s requests to Eirgrid, as project developer, and asked that they engage with him directly as to the current status of the North South Interconnector.