Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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174. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the North Connacht Interconnector. [56149/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The CRU is responsible for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators. Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Network. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network. The Transmission and Distribution Networks make up the national electricity grid. EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of myself as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions.

In July 2023, EirGrid published an updated ‘Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap version 1.1’, which is a plan-led approach to deliver an electricity system in 2030 which meets Ireland’s climate targets to include the incorporation of greater renewable generation into the electricity system.

The North Connacht 110kV project is a Transmission project and is being undertaken by EirGrid. The Government does not 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: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’.

Eirgrid are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions as Transmission System Operators. The CRU and Eirgrid have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance EirGrid are the appropriate organisation to provide information regarding current status of the project.