Earliest possible date for Interconnector 2020

Contracts for the construction of the North South Interconnector will not be be concluded until all legal proceedings surrounding the controversial infrastructural project are resolved. Minister Richard Bruton told the Dáil that the earliest possible date for construction is early 2020.

The minister made his comments in response to questions tabled by Cavan Monaghan TD Niamh Smyth and Thomas Byrne, the Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for the Meath East.

The deputies asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment about the status of the North-South Interconnector project in early December.

Minister Bruton said the granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in December 2016 was appealed to the Supreme Court and that judgement is expected in the coming weeks.

A parallel Judicial Review of the Northern Ireland decision is expected to conclude later this year.

Two studies commissioned by Denis Naughten, when he held the post of Environment Minister, found that overhead line were “the most beneficial way of meeting the need for enhanced power transfer” between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

In his reply to the questions posed by Deputies Smith and Byrne the Minister said: “There are currently a number of on-going procurements in relation to the project being undertaken and managed by ESB Networks, such as tower design. However no critical procurement contracts such as construction will be concluded until all legal proceedings are resolved. The earliest possible date for construction is early 2020.”