Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has again appealed to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that the concerns of local communities are listened to and are acted upon in all discussions regarding the proposed North/South Interconnector.
“In a series of Parliamentary Questions to Minister Eamon Ryan in Dáil Éireann I requested very clearly if he would ensure that the views and concerns of communities in Monaghan, Cavan and Meath would be taken into account in relation to the need to put the transmission cables underground if the project proceeds as happened with other projects in different European countries.
I also outlined again to the Minister that the reviews that were carried out were inadequate as they did not take into account the concerns of householders, farmers and communities in relation to a number of aspects of the proposed project.” stated Deputy Brendan Smith.
The Minister in his response to my Parliamentary Questions stated- –
“The North-South Interconnector, which will allow for the flow of 1,500 MW electricity between jurisdictions, is critical for improving the operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM), in achieving up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure on the island of Ireland is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being, responding to the needs of consumers and in ensuring security of electricity supply.The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. The key finding from the International Expert Commission’s report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option. The recently published report of 2023 assessed if the overall finding of the 2018 remained valid. The report concluded that the 2018 findings remained valid, outlining that it would not be feasible to run the proposed North-South interconnector underground.
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’. 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”, concluded the Minister for Climate the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Thursday, 30 March 2023
Questions (114, 115, 116, 117)
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith
Question:
114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position concerning the proposed North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15921/23]
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith
Question:
115. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the recent review on the proposed North-South interconnector following his announcement that the Cabinet had noted this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15922/23]
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith
Question:
116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the total opposition of communities in Monaghan, Cavan and Meath to the present proposals regarding the proposed North-South interconnector, with particular reference to the concerns about transmission cables being put overground; if he will ensure that if the project proceeds, the transmission cables are put underground, as proposed for other major energy projects in this country and throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15923/23]
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith
Question:
117. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the inadequacy of the review of the proposed North-South interconnector carried out in 2018, given it did not take into account the concerns of householders, farmers and communities in respect of a number of aspects of this proposed project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15924/23]
Written answers (Question to Environment)
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 to 117, inclusive, together.
The North-South Interconnector, which will allow for the flow of 1,500 MW electricity between jurisdictions, is critical for improving the operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM), in achieving up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure on the island of Ireland is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being, responding to the needs of consumers and in ensuring security of electricity supply.The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. The key finding from the International Expert Commission’s report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option. The recently published report of 2023 assessed if the overall finding of the 2018 remained valid. The report concluded that the 2018 findings remained valid, outlining that it would not be feasible to run the proposed North-South interconnector underground.
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’. 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.
ENDS 17/04/2023