Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The North-South Interconnector is an essential Transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland — leading to a more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island. It will facilitate the connection of 900 MW of renewable generation, enough to power 600,000 homes through green energy.

The North-South Interconnector 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’.

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, 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 myself as Minister.

It is for system operators to determine the means of delivery of infrastructure and in doing so they seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders. Eirgrid have been and will continue to engage with the local communities affected by the development of the North South Interconnector. 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.