Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give detailed consideration to a recent briefing note of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly: Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region, June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35166/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the briefing note provided by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Delivering electricity infrastructure is a key priority for this Government and we are seeking to accelerate that delivery through a number of initiatives, including the Future Grid Working Group which was established under the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce.

This Group is chaired by officials in my Department and consists of key grid delivery staff from ESB Networks, EirGrid and the CRU. The Group is tasked with accelerating delivery of the grid, identifying issues which are impeding grid delivery and potential solutions to same, along with identifying priority grid projects. Work in this area is ongoing.

It is noted that the projects identified in the briefing note are ones underway by EirGrid with quarterly updates provided publicly as part of the Network Delivery Portfolio. My Department is working to accelerate delivery of all projects and that includes the projects identified. I welcome the continued support of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly in delivering these critical projects, including the North South Interconnector.

I understand the CRU will shortly publish a public consultation on their draft decision on Price Review 6 (PR6). PR6 will see CRU approve the investment and revenue framework for the electricity grid for the period 2026-2030. PR6 will see major investment in the onshore electricity grid and represents a step change in grid development and investment. The large-scale investment envisaged will assist Ireland in maintaining a reliable and resilient electricity network to meet the needs of customers and society.