David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from EirGrid and welcome the opportunity to have this discussion.

Yesterday the committee held a discussion with EirGrid's chairperson elect but I was unable to attend. Two weeks ago we met a number of campaigning groups from across the State and many genuine concerns were raised. I have also attended public meetings, received e-mails and been in contact with people who live along the proposed corridors and routes and people who are concerned about the impact the projects will have on the landscape and built heritage. People are also concerned about potential health risks. Despite what EirGrid says, there will be an impact on the environment and the value of land and property. People have a range of issues and concerns about the matter but I will park them for a second to deal with the immediate priority of the consultation process.

I believe the consultation process is flawed for a number of reasons. The CEO has said that EirGrid does not have a vested interest and he might be correct. However, EirGrid has a very clear policy objective in the methodology used for all of the various projects, including the Grid Link project. We have not held a genuine consultation process on the methodology and whether it will be overground or underground.

I have read the Stage 1 report and know that EirGrid plans to use overhead power lines and pylons in all of the areas, especially for the Grid Link project. We have received different and often slick presentations from EirGrid that stated its nuanced positions. EirGrid representatives have used very clever terminology when they have spoken to the media. We have received different information or certainly I have when we have met EirGrid representatives one to one. For example, the Sunday Independent published an article that quoted senior company executives as saying that EirGrid had no objection to the project going underground. It also quoted EirGrid's transmission project manager as saying:

We are not anti-underground. As part of the assessment of the project we will look at it. We look at cabling, we look at undergrounding – we must consider alternatives.

That gave public perception that EirGrid is genuine about examining the use of undergrounding.

Last week, briefing sessions were held for Oireachtas Members and I met EirGrid representatives who clearly stated that undergrounding is not an option for the Grid Link project that covers the south and south east. They said that it was not technically possible. They said that were it to be used, it would only be over short distances of a maximum of 15 km across the entire grid and State. That is its maximum limit for underground AC cables. The perception given to the public and us varies. EirGrid must be clear and honest with people. It must confirm whether undergrounding is suitable for the projects. If undergrounding is unsuitable, then we can have a political debate on alternatives, funding and so on.

EirGrid's argument has a credibility problem. Mr. Slye has said the underground option would be between three and three and half times more expensive. In 2007, EirGrid launched the North-South interconnector project and said it was 21 times more expensive. EirGrid also said it was not technically possible, yet the international expert commission contradicts its statement and claims the project is a viable alternative. Either EirGrid was wrong then or it is wrong now. Which is it? I want an answer. The public will need to know that information to make up their minds on the issue.

The CEO has said a number of converter sites and stations will be needed if DC cables go underground and that these could take up the size of the Croke Park and so on. How many pylons will be stretched across the State? What will be the average size of pylons? I understand the pylons could be up to 43 m high. The CEO said he would not mind living next to them but many people do mind. Many people are concerned about the visual intrusion and the nature of pylons. It is okay to cite a need for a number of converter stations. What about the number of pylons that will stretch across the countryside? Pylons will pass through the Comeragh Mountains in my county of Waterford. The erection of pylons in the Comeragh Mountains is a sore and contentious issue for the people who live in Waterford. Why is the project necessary? Is there a possibility that the electricity generated will be exported and not for domestic use?