20 Samh 2013, 15:14
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning heard from a cross section of Anti-Pylon Community Groups from the South-East and North-East regions on the concerns they hold around the proposed upgrade of the National Grid.
20 November 2013
The Committee expects that the issues aired at the meeting will inform future hearings on the subject, including the meeting with representatives from EirGrid scheduled for 4 December.
Following the meeting, the Committee agreed to write to EirGrid to request that the current round of public consultation on the Grid Link project, which has a closing date for submissions of 26 November, be extended until the end of the year.
Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The Committee thanks witnesses for frank and open presentations this morning on their opposition to the proposed installation of new pylons and transmission lines as part of the proposed upgrade of the National Grid. The exchange of views this morning will inform a hearing on 4 December with representatives from EirGrid, in which the key concerns of the community groups raised this morning will be aired. In carefully considering this contentious matter, the Committee would wish to provide a forum where a wide spectrum of opinion can be voiced in good faith.”
“The Committee heard some criticism of the public consultation process on the grid upgrade, particularly at the perceived lack of awareness among communities of the upcoming closing date of 26 November. As a consequence, the Committee agreed to request that EirGrid extend the closing date for receipt of public submissions until the end of 2013.”
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Committee on Transport and Communications
Deputies: Paudie Coffey (Vice-Chair), Michael Colreavy, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Tom Fleming, Brendan Griffin, Noel Harrington, Seán Kenny, Éamonn Maloney, Helen McEntee, Mattie McGrath, Michael Moynihan, Patrick O’Donovan, John O’Mahony (Chair) and Ann Phelan
Senators: Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan, Éamonn Coghlan, Paschal Mooney, Ned O’Sullivan and John Whelan