Matt Carthy
Ceist:54. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings he has had, and-or the briefings he has received, in respect of the North-South Interconnector. [21467/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 May 2024
Ceisteanna (54)
Freagraí ó Béal (15 píosaí cainte)
I ask the Minister of State to outline the meetings and briefings he and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, have had in respect of the North-South Interconnector.
The North-South Interconnector is an essential 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.
As a transmission project, the North-South Interconnector is being undertaken by EirGrid, which is independent of the Minister, with EirGrid determining the means of delivery of the project. In so doing, it seeks to work in close collaboration with affected landowners and local communities. The Minister does not have a role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground and this is in line with the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure.
The Deputy has asked about meetings and-or briefings that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has had in respect of the North-South Interconnector. The most recent meeting was for the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, where the Minister met with his party colleague, then Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy, Sinn Féin MLA for Newry and Armagh. Both the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and I, wish to take this opportunity to wish Conor well in his recovery.
The Minister, Conor Murphy, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, discussed the North-South Interconnector, with the Minister, Conor Murphy, also acknowledging the benefits the interconnector will bring to the island of Ireland, including lower-cost electricity, an improved security of supply and a greater investment in renewable electricity. The briefing for this meeting was provided by officials from the Department, who have responsibility for policy that is related to the development of the electricity grid. They brief the Minister on grid-related matters, including the North-South Interconnector, from time to time and as necessary.
According to the Minister of State's response, the only briefing that was received was in respect of the North-South Ministerial Council. The only meeting-----
The most recent.
But that is not the question.
It asks about the meetings and briefings the Minister has had.
Yes and this is important. The Ceann Comhairle has ruled several questions on the North-South Interconnector out of order because the Department now claims that those questions do not fall under the remit of the Minister, despite the fact that similar questions have been previously answered by the Minister and his predecessors, and now-----
Let us not get into the debate. Let us just talk about the issues. The issues clearly are the meetings the Minister has had and the briefings he has received.
I just want clarification on this. The response indicated that there was one meeting and one briefing. Is the Minister of State saying that there were others or that was the only information he had? Were they the only briefings or meetings that were held by either the Minister of State or the Minister?
Sorry, that is the information I have to hand. It only relates to the most recent meeting. I am not aware of whether there were other meetings or briefings before that. If the Deputy has a specific period in mind, as the project has been going on for decades at this stage, I will come back with a better answer.
Okay, but with due respect, the Minister has not been in office for decades. The Minister has been in office for four years. Either there were briefings and meetings that were too numerous to relay in a response to a parliamentary question, or there was a small number over that four-year period. If there was a small number, that information could be given to the House.
The one thing I do know is that neither the Minister of State nor the Minister has actually engaged with any representatives of the communities affected who tell us that more than 90% of landowners have made it absolutely clear that they will not facilitate entry by EirGrid or anybody acting on its behalf to their lands. Essentially, EirGrid has outlined that it is planning to engage in a collision course with local communities. In my view, this is a collision course that will lead to a substantial, further delay to this project.
If there are benefits to the project, as I agree there are, then we should be trying to ensure the project is delivered as quickly as possible. The way to achieve that is through undergrounding the interconnector. The only way is if the senior Minister directs EirGrid to pursue that.
I am glad that the Deputy agrees with his colleague, Conor Murphy MLA, that there are great benefits to this project. I absolutely agree that there has to be good engagement with landowners. EirGrid manages the national electricity grid. It recently issued letters to about 400 landowners on the route of the planned North-South interconnector. The letters outline the infrastructure proposed on landholdings and the compensation payments being offered to landowners which are approximately €50,000 per pylon and €160 per metre of overhead lines. Plans are in place to liaise with those homeowners situated within 200 m of the proposed electricity line who will receive proximity payments. I understand that EirGrid, ESB Networks and the CRU are considering their next steps in the event that a sufficient number of landowners do not reach a voluntary agreement with EirGrid.
That is precisely what is going to lead to conflict and delay. What I find staggering about the Green Party Ministers, supported by all accounts by their Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael counterparts, is that they seem completely oblivious to the realities on the ground. If EirGrid pursues its current trajectory the only thing to be delivered will be court cases, delays, frustration and the lack of whatever semblance of goodwill it is still possible to achieve. Has the Minister asked EirGrid precisely how many landowners have indicated specifically that they will not engage directly with it? In percentage terms, that information should be provided to the Members of this House.
The Minister of State's response seems to be in the wrong tense because that consultation has already happened. EirGrid knows exactly the response. The Minister has a responsibility to find out exactly where that project is. Deputy Carthy is absolutely right. If as the Minister of State says, EirGrid, ESB Networks and the CRU are considering their next steps, that is a direct collision course with communities and will further delay this project.
In Deputy O'Rourke's previous question about curtailment, he clearly showed an understanding of what the problems are when we have too much electricity in one part of the island and not enough in another and we cannot share it from one to the other. I am sure he understands what the benefits of the project are. Like any infrastructure project, whether building a road or a greenway, there is always a need for engagement with local communities and a need to obtain consent as far as possible. The project has to be built eventually. It has to go through all the due diligence and due process, and eventually issues need to be worked out with the landowners on the ground. It is never easy but this process has not been rushed. We have been hearing about this for many years. There have been many rounds of engagement and legal process with the involvement of An Bord Pleanála, open hearings and oral hearings. I have heard about it for many years at this stage. We are now at the point where landowners are being are being offered compensation and we will have to see what the response is.