Grid delay costing €29.5m

Failure to build the cross-border electricity interconnector is costing consumers across Ireland €29.5m a year, it was revealed.

The development is planned to link the grids of the North and the Republic to produce cheaper energy costs. Some residents on the route along the Monaghan-Tyrone border are unhappy at the prospect of new pylons being built across the countryside.

Stormont energy minister Arlene Foster said there was a need to “get to grips” with restrictions on the electricity system in Northern Ireland.