Pat Deering
Question:519. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when EirGrid plans to publish its preferred overground and underground routes for the Gridlink proposal. [6781/15]
View answerTuesday, 17 February 2015
Questions (519)
Written answers
In January 2014, my predecessor established an Independent Expert Panel to oversee preparation by EirGrid of the comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors.
In due course, the Panel will provide me with an opinion on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports and will oversee their publication by EirGrid prior to the company proceeding to public consultation on the two projects.
EirGrid does not expect to complete its studies and reports until the middle of 2015. The Panel expects to be in a position to provide me with an opinion on the Grid Link project in Quarter three this year.