Minister 'aware of anger and public concern' at interconnector plan

“The benefits remain and I believe it can be built in a way that protects health, which is the first priority in any instance, which can deliver economic benefits, particularly in those counties each side of the Border"- newly appointed Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Green Party's Eamon Ryan

The newly appointed Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Green Party's Eamon Ryan says he is “aware of the anger and the intense public concern” at the proposed North-South Interconnector plan. However, he described the project as being a critically important piece of infrastructure for the island of Ireland, and does not intend to go back and review proposals calling for overhead power lines to be placed underground.

Minister Ryan made the comments in a lenghty exchange with Sinn Féin TD Darren O'Rourke, his first such with any representative from the region on the subject since being appointed to the front-bench position.

Deputy O'Rourke, who represents the Meath East constituency, had asked Minister Ryan if his attention has been drawn to the “considerable local opposition” to the proposed pylons included in the interconnector plan.

“I am fully aware of the importance of connecting the electricity and energy grids on this island. However, this project has met with spectacular local opposition to the pylons and overhead power lines along the route. Is the Minister aware of the level of anger and opposition on the ground to this project? As a TD from the constituency it is running through I can tell the Minister it simply will not proceed as a project in its current form,” stated Mr O'Rourke steadfastly.

The newly elected TD added: “At every hand's turn we have seen a case where the community position on it has not been meaningfully taken on board. That leaves a very bad taste and huge resistance locally. I ask the Minister, as a follow-up question, what the cost of this project has been to date. I am standing by that position. Unless there is a meeting of minds in respect of this we will throw good money after bad and this project will not be delivered.”

But Minister Ryan responded by saying that the Interconnector had the potential to improve the efficient operation of the single electricity market while also increasing security of electricity supply across the island. He added that it would further help the country move towards a 70% renewable electricity target, which is a commitment made in the recently approved programme for Government.

“The benefits remain and I believe it can be built in a way that protects health, which is the first priority in any instance, which can deliver economic benefits, particularly in those counties each side of the Border. Where it has been difficult to get employment this will bring other ancillary benefits. I understand that the main problem is now North of the Border so if Deputy O'Rourke's colleagues, as an all-Ireland party, could help overcome those we will see real economic benefits to both sides of the Border, which is what I believe we all agree we seek to deliver.”

Citing recent estimates from the Department on the cost of the project at €180 million incurred in the South, with the remaining €109 million incurred in Northern Ireland, the Minister continued by saying it was his belief that the Interconnector would deliver “real value for money.”

The cost otherwise, would be approximately €30 million a year in higher bills for customers.

“I want to be as honest and up-front as I can be in saying I believe the project should proceed under the planning permission it has and in line with all the reviews that were done. My personal view, having looked at this in real depth and detail over the years, is that I do not believe it is technically possible or optimal to do it with an alternative design. As I said, we have to be very cognisant of health and local communities as we are building it but I believe the current proposal is the best way of doing that so I will be supportive of that. One of the biggest obstacles now is in the political system in Stormont. My hope is that we can work with our colleagues in the Assembly to minimise any downsides for local communities but to make sure we do not miss the strategic importance of uniting our island energy markets, which is something we agree on across the political spectrum.”