Fears Interconnector review will be ‘token gesture’

The planned review of the North South Interconnector has been described as a “token gesture” and a “whitewash” by the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed there would be a review during Leader's Questions last week, while Minister Eamon Ryan has said he is “very keen” the review gets done in a “proper and quick manner”, and completed in a similar time-frame to judicial proceedings being finalised in the North.

Minister Ryan described the Interconnector, which will see the construction of 409 51 metre high 400kw pylons through Cavan, Monaghan and Meath, into Armagh and Tyrone as the “one of the most critical projects” for the whole island.

“We will commission someone to complete that review, which is focusing on the range of independent international studies that we have done on this issue, and to look again at all of the analysis presented to get confirmation that the analysis and thinking behind it are still absolutely appropriate and correct,” he said.

A spokesperson for NEPPC said the Minister was going to do a desktop review primarily of a recent independent study that was already rejected by the public as not fit for purpose, as it refused to include the necessary terms of reference for properly analysing the real challenges and issues around the project.

“The Minister wants the review completed during the period of a Judicial review in NI, so that effectively no time is lost on the project. Does he ever stop to think that 15 years of time have been lost on the project through sheer incompetence and bloody mindedness of his Department, in making the assumption that this can be bullied through.”

The spokesperson said there have been critical changes since the last review in 2018 including the decision to underground the Kildare Meath Interconnector.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín said his party Aontú had prepared a Bill seeking a “proper analysis of the true cost of overgrounding”

“We invited all Deputies in the Dáil to sign our Bill. So far, only one Deputy in any of those constituencies has signed. No Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael Deputies have signed the Bill.”

Deputy Darren O’Rourke said it’s clear the review is being designed with a pre-determined outcome in mind.

“The Minister admitted all he is essentially proposing is a review of previous reviews.

“It’s total nonsense. It’s not a review at all, it’s a total whitewash of the issue.

“People in Meath won’t be hoodwinked by Minister Eamon Ryan and the Fianna Fáil Taoiseach with this sham review."