Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
223. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission an independent cost benefit analysis for the Grid Link project, exploring fully the underground and over ground options taking all health, social and economic factors into consideration. [51418/13]
View answerI welcomed the decision made by EirGrid last week to extend the deadline for the consultation process on the GridLink project to 7 January 2014. Any steps to be taken after 7 January, including any analysis of issues such as costs, environmental impacts and technical efficacy, will be considered then. The period between now and 7 January will, no doubt, be useful in providing EirGrid with an opportunity to reflect further on the valid concerns raised in relation to various aspects of the project. The July 2012 "Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure", emphasised the imperative for the State Companies, and all developers of energy projects, of early, transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholders. The Statement also made clear that public acceptability requires public confidence proposals adhere to the highest international standards of safety, health and environmental and visual impact, and technology choice. The Government affirmed that EirGrid and the other State energy companies are obliged to adhere to all relevant guidelines and standards and they act in the national interest, and on behalf of all electricity consumers.
In this regard, the expectation is that those companies in making their choices, of project specific technologies and routing as well as mitigation measures, will take account of all relevant national and international standards, to follow best practice and ensure value for money and be informed by detailed consultation at local level. In addition to undertaking extensive statutory and non statutory public consultation, the State Companies and energy developers must adhere to national and international standards on health, environment, biodiversity, landscape and safety as an intrinsic part of the Planning process. Compliance together with appropriate impact mitigation measures are central to the Environmental Impact Assessments which form the basis of planning applications to An Bord Pleanála. This includes compliance with EMF exposure limits set in International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Guidelines and associated EU Recommendations, and Environmental, Habitat and Biodiversity national and EU legislation. The Government in affirming the broad principle of adherence to all standards, underlined the importance of the statutory and non statutory consultation processes in ensuring public and stakeholder confidence that standards are met and where necessary mitigation measures are put in place.
I am aware that many people are concerned about the impact that new transmission lines and other energy infrastructure can have on the landscape, the environment and on local communities. Accordingly, it is essential that the GridLink project is taken forward on the basis of the best available knowledge and informed engagement on the impacts and costs of different engineering solutions. EirGrid has stated that it will take account of all the submissions received during the course of the consultation process.
The Government wants to be able to give a strong consistent message to Irish business and multinationals, and our citizens, that Ireland’s electricity networks are robust, modern and safe. This project is a practical illustration of our collective and continuing commitment to large scale investment in electricity infrastructure, while at the same time taking in to account valid concerns and addressing them as appropriate.
