2.— (1) Subject to the grant by the Commission to EirGrid of an authorisation by virtue of section 16(1)(b) of the Act of 1999, EirGrid may construct an interconnector.

(2) Subject to the grant by the Commission to EirGrid of a licence under section 14(1)(i) of the Act of 1999, EirGrid may transport electricity across and maintain an interconnector.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) EirGrid may own an interconnector.

(4) EirGrid shall not lease, sell or otherwise dispose of, in whole or in part, an interconnector it has an interest in, including a proposed interconnector, to another person without the consent of the Minister, given with the approval of the Minister for Finance.

(5) EirGrid may carry on any activity which appears to EirGrid to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to or which appears to EirGrid to facilitate, the performance by EirGrid of any function under this Act.

(6) EirGrid shall exercise its functions under this section in a manner consistent with its functions as the transmission system operator under the Principal Regulations and accordingly—

(a) the functions of EirGrid under this section shall be read together with its functions provided for by Regulation 8 of the Principal Regulations as the transmission system operator, and

(b) the other provisions of the Principal Regulations which relate to the functions of EirGrid (including its functions as the transmission system operator under those Regulations) shall, to the extent that it is necessary or consistent to do so, apply to its functions under this section.