Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
433. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the names and roles of each person that attended a meeting (details supplied); the person that wrote the note for information arising from that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28981/18]
View answerAt the meeting in January 2018 which I attended with officials along with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Ratheniska, Timahoe, Spink and Surrounding Areas Substation Action Group outlined aspects of the project with which they were dissatisfied. These aspects covered issues of concern from the origins of the project in 2009 to the present day. I listened carefully to the many views expressed and I undertook to further consider the issues raised.
The Laois-Kilkenny electricity project is to improve the security of electricity supply across counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Laois. It is a €110 million investment in the area designed to ensure that the electricity network can meet the present and future needs of all users, from homes to farms and small businesses to industrial customers. The project was granted planning permission in 2014 by An Bord Pleanála. That decision was subject to Judicial Review proceedings which were dismissed in January 2015.
Last month all planning conditions were discharged and works have begun at the site. All matters arising are now an operational matter for the project developers, EirGrid and ESB Networks, and subject to monitoring in accordance with the planning system.
Since the meeting, my officials have engaged with EirGrid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and other parties in an effort to explore the issues raised. A report was prepared by my officials, which details those issues and I sent it to the Group on 19th June.
