Skip to main content
Normal View

Electricity Transmission Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Questions (348)

Martin Heydon

Question:

348. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on his interaction with the panel of experts established to review the GridLink project; when he expects their terms of reference to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Independent Expert Panel, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, has been tasked with deciding the terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the proposed Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects. I have also asked the Panel to oversee the integrity of the process that will be undertaken by Eirgrid to complete these studies. The outputs from the studies, which will be required to be complete, objective and comparable, will be published before proceeding to the next stage of public consultation on the two projects. The studies will take account of environmental (including visual amenity) impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. Additionally, I have asked the Panel to consider what, if anything, it can do regarding the North South Transmission Line project. The Panel has commenced its deliberations and is scheduled to hold its next meeting in the first week of May. I understand that the Panel expects to be in a position to announce the terms of reference for the Panel itself, as well as the terms of reference for the Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects shortly after that meeting.

Top
Share