Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of progress in negotiations with the Irish Government towards the construction of the North South Electricity Interconnector; and if he will make a statement.
Non-nuclear energy is devolved and the delivery of a new interconnector is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of Ireland.
I have had discussions with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and the sector on increasing security of supply, lowering energy costs and meeting the UK’s renewables commitments.
I hope proposals for a new interconnector move forward quickly to deliver a stronger, more secure and more competitive network in Northern Ireland.