Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2014
162. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current position regarding EirGrid's right to access private lands; the legislation that governs these powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44755/14]
View answerUnder Section 20(4) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, as amended by Regulation 8 of S.I. 445/2000, EirGrid is empowered to enter lands to undertake appropriate investigations, inquiries, and examinations. This access is intended to support the function set out in Regulation 8(1) whereby EirGrid is required to "operate and ensure the maintenance of, and if necessary, develop a secure, reliable economical and efficient electricity transmission system, and to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection of its system with other systems, in all cases with a view to ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity are met having due regard for the environment."
In order to enable EirGrid to discharge its functions, the legislation provides for the ESB, as transmission system assets owner (TAO), and EirGrid to enter into agreements in order to ensure EirGrid is mandated to design and deliver projects to develop the transmission system and enable planning applications to be submitted. The agreements themselves provide that projects are overseen by engineers appointed by EirGrid so that they are completed in accordance with the appropriate standards and to ensure the company fulfils its statutory obligations.
