Electricity Transmission Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (656, 700)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead power lines on the environment and wildlife in south Tipperary in view of the fact that south Tipperary is the stronghold of the barn owl in Ireland and that this endangered species has been declared in need of habitat protection by the South Tipperary Biodiversity Action Plan V5; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the lower slopes of the Galtees are one of the only places in Ireland where endangered nightjars breed and, these being nocturnal birds like the barn owls, could well be wiped out by the power lines; if his Department has made a submission to the EirGrid Grid Link project consultation process expressing concerns about the impact on wildlife in south Tipperary; if his Department will be making a submission on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45829/13]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

700. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his officials have had discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and-or Department officials in regard to the possible impact of the proposed new EirGrid high voltage power line systems on the general environment; if they have considered measures to mitigate the environmental impact of such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46745/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 700 together.

Neither I nor my Department have had discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the Eirgrid proposals in question. I have no role in commenting on plans other than, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, the development plans and local area plans prepared by planning authorities. Nature conservation comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

If and when the proposals referred to become the subject of a planning application or applications under the Planning and Development Act 2000, assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive will be carried out where required under the provisions of Part X and Part XAB of the Act, which transpose the provisions of the Directives insofar as planning consents are concerned.