Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
116. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for setting up an independent inquiry into the underground options for the power lines network which is being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6089/14]
View answer117. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline his pylons investigation regarding placing cables underground versus overground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6158/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
Arising from examination of the concerns expressed during EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I have proposed a number of measures to deal with the immediate concerns on the Grid West and Grid Link projects, while also addressing the generality of commentary on the need to improve stakeholder and community engagement on all Grid25 projects for the future. On 28 January, I announced that I had appointed an independent panel of experts, to be chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Mrs Catherine McGuinness. The panel of experts will decide the terms of reference for comprehensive, route specific studies of fully underground and overhead options for both the Grid Link and the Grid West projects.
EirGrid will be required to undertake the two studies, as determined by the independent panel of experts, which will take account of, inter alia, environmental and visual amenity impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The independent panel will have power to commission additional work if there is any perceived deficiency in the studies presented.
The Panel will be asked to ensure that the underground studies are complete and objective, and are comparable to similar studies of overhead options for the two projects. Studies of the overhead and underground options will then be published side-by-side, in objective and comparable terms, before proceeding to the next stage of public consultation on those two projects. The two studies will take account of environmental (including visual amenity) impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The Expert Panel has not yet met but is scheduled to do so at an early date, and it will proceed to settle on terms of reference to oversee the integrity of the process now put in place.
