Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
501. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review correspondence (details supplied); his views on the concerns outlined by the group; the status of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a tender process for 400 pylons commenced by a company (details supplied) was not publicised in its Autumn 2017 leaflet on the north south interconnector, in view of the fact that under the PCI process all information regarding the status of the project must be made public on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.
The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure states that, “The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies". This also holds true for operational matters such as tender processes or project information literature. On 19 December 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an Oral Hearing completed over 11 weeks from March to May last year. My Department has been involved in one of two Judicial Review proceedings which have been brought against this planning decision. On 22 August this year, the High Court upheld the development consent granted by An Bord Pleanála for the interconnector. A second judicial review is scheduled for hearing later this month. Following the motions calling for an updated independent study that were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann earlier this year, I have commissioned two independent studies designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by parties opposed to the development of an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. I have approved the appointment of independent experts to carry out this study and their work commenced in August. The consultants are Bo Normark, who will Chair the Group, Professor Ronnie Belmans and Professor Keith Bell. This Independent Expert Group is expected to deliver its final report by the end of January next. I have also commissioned a study on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. Work is also underway on this study and its results are expected in Q1 2018. In September 2017, the ESB published a tender notice for works relating to the project, including the design and testing of equipment. These works have very lengthy lead-in times and I understand that the procurement process will take a minimum of nine months to completion. The results of both commissioned studies will be published prior to the conclusion of this procurement process. In addition, no work will be commissioned during the procurement process. The planning process for the section of the project in Northern Ireland is ongoing following the conclusion of an oral hearing on 27 February 2017.
