Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the groups which have come before the committee today. It is important they put their concerns on the public record, not only so that we as a committee can take them on board but also because it is hoped there will be opportunities in the near future for us to put their concerns to EirGrid and ask why it is not being fully transparent in its responses to the various communities.

As policy-makers, we need to have a wider debate about energy security and how climate change will impact on the various sectors, whether they be agriculture, transport or the electricity infrastructure, and also energy demand. We all have a responsibility to look at that area in-depth and to plan, even though many present will say there is already a plan with which they are not happy. If we need to revisit that plan and look at it in a way by which it can gain public confidence, that is what we need to do. The great dilemma for policy-makers is we are charged with the responsibility of providing a national infrastructure, whether it be roads, water or electricity, but if how it is delivered and developed impacts on communities, we have a serious problem and a serious conflict, and that is what we are hearing at this meeting.

The two areas on which I will focus are engagement and consultation. Those issues arise regularly across the board, as is how EirGrid is not being transparent in the information it provides to various groups and individuals. It seems to be a box-ticking exercise. What exactly do we need to ask EirGrid in respect of consultation? Is it a full cost-benefit analysis, comparing the overhead option versus the underground and taking into account all the impacts? Some have stated that. Is that specifically what we need to see? I have been critical of EirGrid because it is speaking in generalities, broad bland terms and is not being specific.

For example, in Waterford, where I am from, it seems EirGrid is proposing the least cost technically acceptable solution to it, which is overhead and the most direct route, when there is an existing public corridor, the N25 which starts at Youghal bridge and goes all the way to Waterford city, and also the N9, from Waterford northwards to Kildare. There is an existing corridor. Has anybody seen a cost-benefit analysis of an underground cable along that corridor? I would presume there are fewer constraints in that respect. There are not land and access issues because there is already a public highway. Has anybody seen a cost-benefit analysis of putting an underground cable along that corridor? These are questions we will probably put to EirGrid.

Is it technically possible to underground the full routes? We are hearing it is not, that there are not examples where 400 kV lines have been put underground over that length of infrastructure. We need to understand whether that is technically possible. I certainly need to, and I am sure committee members and other Members do as well. Those are two questions that need to be answered - specifics on engagement and consultation and also a specific cost-benefit analysis.

Has any analysis been done on the existing 400 kV line between Moneypoint and Dublin? I am not saying these groups should do the analysis but it would seem an obvious place to look. I am not accusing anybody of speculation or anything like that, but rather than trying to understand what is ahead, surely we should look at what exists to see whether that 400 kV line has had an impact on the communities along its route from the perspectives of health, land value and tourism.

Those are the pertinent questions we need to ask if we are to have a proper informed and calm debate about this issue. It is an important issue for the communities which are most concerned, as are many members present. If the groups could give us some more information in that regard, I would certainly welcome it.