Written Answers Nos. 118-123
118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the North-South interconnector project will be included for review by the newly formed expert panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it would be fair and proper to exclude the North-South interconnector project from the scope of the review panel, therefore not subjecting that project to the same scrutiny and examination as the Grid Link and Grid West projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects EirGrid to lodge an application for planning permission in respect of the North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7072/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 120, inclusive, together.
On 28 January last, in response to EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I announced that I have appointed an independent panel of experts, to be chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. The outputs from those studies, which will be required to be complete, objective and comparable, will be published 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 independent panel will have power to commission its own work if there is any perceived deficiency in the studies presented.
Since then, I met with the Chair of the expert panel on 31 January 2014. I also briefly met with the full Panel on 10 February 2014 prior to the start of their first meeting to thank them for undertaking the work. The Panel has now commenced its deliberations including considering what work, if any, it might usefully undertake in relation to the North South Transmission Line project.
Detailed studies have already been conducted for the North South transmission line, including consideration of a route specific underground option and, most recently, an assessment by the Independent International Commission of Experts appointed in July 2011 which reported in February 2012. Previously, in 2009, the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources commissioned an independent study on Comparative Merits of Overhead Electricity Transmission Lines versus Underground Cables. That study was conducted by international consultants Ecofys.
I understand that EirGrid has taken full account of the contents of those studies in finalising the planning application for the North South transmission line. The timing of the submission of the planning application to An Bord Pleanála is a matter for EirGrid.
121. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the exact figure for the amount of money that has been sent by central Government to Kerry County Council over the past five weeks to help alleviate the hardship that has been imposed on families and business people who are affected by the flooding of recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7063/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consideration of a report from me on the severe weather that has affected Ireland, the Government yesterday decided that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. This will enable local authorities in the areas worst affected by the storms, including the most recent flooding, to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and other infrastructure and amenities. The Government decision was based on estimated costs from local authorities, including Kerry County Council. The arrangements for the drawing down of the funds by local authorities will be finalised following discussions between local authorities, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the intention that it will be done as speedily as possible to enable local authorities to continue to help affected communities in the areas worst impacted by the storms, including the most recent flooding.
This funding is in addition to the €25 million which Government has already announced for the Department of Social Protection’s Humanitarian Assistance schemes and €1 million of this will now be channelled through the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Irish Red Cross to assist families affected by the storms and flooding.
122. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the powers he has at his disposal to direct a local authority in respect of taking an estate in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe taking in charge of an estate, which is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, is a matter for the local authority concerned and I have no power to direct them in this regard.
Local authorities are separate, independent statutory bodies whose members are directly elected and therefore accountable to the electorate. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act, 2001 provides that subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. My role in relation to local authorities is primarily to provide the policy, financial and legislative framework within which they perform their functions. Accordingly while they operate within a framework of legislation and policy guidance, local authorities are not, as a general rule, subject to direction by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in specific matters.
123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if emergency funding will be provided to residents of private roads who have had their roads completely destroyed in the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6987/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe restoration of public roads damaged during the recent severe weather is a matter for local authorities, and I understand that such repairs are in progress. Private roads and repairs thereto are a matter for the owners of those roads and their insurers, if applicable.
However, in accordance with the Road Grants Schemes operated by my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, local authorities have the option to allocate up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant under the Regional and Local Roads Grant 2014 towards non-public roads provided certain criteria are fulfilled. Any queries in this regard should be addressed to the relevant local authorities.
