Celtic Interconnector Community Forum
The Celtic Interconnector Community Forum brings together people and organisations from across the project area so that stakeholder and community views can be discussed, understood and properly considered prior to and during project delivery. This community forum will create the opportunity for dialogue between stakeholders with diverse and direct interest in the project and the EirGrid project team.
Irish Rural Link has been appointed as the community forum's independent facilitator.
Irish Rural Link (IRL), formed in 1991, is a national network of organisations and individuals campaigning for sustainable rural development in Ireland and Europe. IRL, a non-profit organisation, now directly represents over 600 community groups with a combined membership of 25,000. The organisation has a long, successful track record in designing and implementing community relations plans for development companies, community organisations, semi-state agencies and Government.
The purpose of the forum is to ensure that stakeholder and community views are understood and properly considered prior to and during project delivery. The group will provide a forum for dialogue between stakeholders with interests in the project and the project team. Community Forum members will also be invited to input on the design and implementation of the Community Benefit Fund.
What's happening now?
October 2023
The ninth forum meeting was held on Tuesday 17 October online.
The meeting was facilitated by Irish Rural Link with an update on the construction phase for the Celtic Interconnector presented to the attendees.
- The power point slides for this meeting are available here.
- Minutes of the meeting will be posted once available.
July 2023
The eighth forum meeting was held on Tuesday 4 July online.
The meeting was facilitated by Irish Rural Link with SECAD presenting an update on the Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund phase 1 application process.
- The power point slides for this meeting are available here
- Minutes of the meeting are available here
April 2023
The seventh forum meeting was held on Wednesday 05 April online.
The meeting was facilitated by Irish Rural Link with SECAD presenting the Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund Strategy for final agreement by the Forum.
- The power point slides for this meeting are available here.
- Minutes of the meeting will be posted once available.
December 2022
The sixth forum meeting was held on Thursday 06 December 2022 online.
The meeting was facilitated by Irish Rural Link with EirGrid providing a project update and SECAD giving an update on the Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund Strategy development.
- The power point slides shared at this meeting are available here.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here.
September 2022
The fifth forum meeting was held on Thursday 29 September in person in the Carrigtwohill Community Centre.
The meeting was facilitated by Irish Rural Link with SECAD holding the first in person workshop regarding the Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund Strategy development.
- The power point slides shared by SECAD at this meeting are available here.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here.
July 2022
The fourth forum meeting was held on Thursday 14 July.
- The power point slides shared at this meeting are available here.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here.
The date for the next forum meeting is Thursday 29 September2022.
Please forward proposed agenda Items to Brendan Mulry at brendan@irishrurallink.ie If you have any questions about the forum or the project, please contact Michelle Walsh on celticinterconnector@eirgrid.com or by phone on 085 870 4999.
March 2022
- The power point slides shared at this meeting are available here.
- Bobby McCormack, Development Perspectives hosted an informative session on the Sustainable Development Goals. His presentation can be seen here.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here.
The preliminary date for the next forum meeting is June 2022.
Please forward proposed agenda Items to James Claffey at james@irishrurallink.ie If you have any questions about the forum or the project, please contact Michelle Walsh on celticinterconnector@eirgrid.com or by phone on 085 870 4999.
June 2021
Since April a high number of expressions of interest for participation in the forum were received from groups and individuals in the East Cork area. A second meeting was held on Tuesday 22 June where a proposed approach was presented to communities with regard to how best to convene a representative forum that would meet everyone’s needs.
- The power point slides shared at this meeting are available here.
- A recording of the presentation given at the meeting is available here.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here.
Nominations for forum members are now requested from communities and groups. These are to be submitted here.
The last date for receiving a nomination is the 26 July 2021.
If you have any questions about the forum or the project, please contact Michelle Walsh on celticinterconnector@eirgrid.com or by phone on 085 870 4999
April 2021
To begin the process of establishing the forum, Irish Rural Link will host an Information Evening (via Zoom due to the current Covid-19 restrictions) to inform communities and key stakeholders about the forum, its remit and its proposed terms of reference. See the terms of reference here. This is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21 April 2021 at 7pm and you are welcome to register your attendance here.