The Government fully endorses the strategic national importance of investing in Ireland's electricity transmission infrastructure. In that context the Meath-Tyrone 400KV Interconnector is a key strategic project for the economies and consumers both North and South. It is also critical to ensuring energy supply adequacy on the island of Ireland.
The Programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent international expert commission to review within six months the case for, and cost of, undergrounding all or part of the Meath-Tyrone line. I would note that the Commission members met eleven public representatives on 13 October. The Commission was appointed in July and its work is nearing completion. The Commission will submit its review to me in the coming weeks. Following the necessary assessment by Department, I intend to bring the review to Government for its consideration in the first instance.