Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
831. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if EirGrid will continue with a 400 kV overhead tower and overhead lines at a location (details supplied) in County Cavan, despite concerns being raised on different occasions; if any further consultative process will be entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established in January 2014 to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. The IEP published the Terms of Reference for those studies in May 2014.
While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside of the IEP's Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what has already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the Panel decided to examine the N/S project.
Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the GW and GL projects. While the Panel acknowledged that no two grid infrastructure projects are identical, and that some non-comparabilities are likely to arise when assessing the potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, the Panel was of the opinion that no material differences in the methodologies arise.
EirGrid has advised my Department that on 13 March 2015 it submitted a draft application file for the N/S project to An Bord Pleanála. In that draft application two overhead towers and a section of 400 kV overhead line are proposed to be located in the townland in county Cavan referred to in the Question. My Department has been further advised by EirGrid that the proposal in respect of that townland is likely to remain unchanged in EirGrid's final application.
A further consultative process will be open to interested parties following submission to An Bord Pleanála of the final application. Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) provides for the making of submissions in relation to an application for consent with respect to a development comprising electricity transmission infrastructure. A timeframe of not less than six week of public consultation is provided for under the section.
I am advised that submission of the final application is expected in the coming weeks.
