Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

EirGrid has acknowledged that the consultation issue must be addressed. I wish to speak about County Monaghan in particular because it did not get the early consultation process that is now being afforded to the Grid South and Grid West projects. In 2007, three corridors were presented at a meeting of Monaghan County Council and there has been no consultation on those study areas. It has been said that the North-South project is the same one that was initially proposed but given the fact that there is no substation in Kingscourt it could be argued that it is a new project and that it should also receive the same consultation on the study area as the Grid South and Grid West projects are being afforded. Government policy states that early consultation with local communities must happen but it did not happen in the case of the North-South project in terms of County Monaghan because there was never consultation on the study area. I urge EirGrid to carry out consultation because the people of County Monaghan deserve to be consulted on the overall study area in the same manner as Grid West and Grid Link south.

It has been established that the North-South interconnector can go underground. EirGrid’s own report, the PB Power report, did an analysis and a detailed costing saying it would cost five times the amount. The independent expert commission report said it would be three times the cost. Both reports state that it is feasible to put the lines underground. One can only do a cost-benefit analysis if it has been established that it is feasible to do it. In terms of the North-South interconnector, this is the only one where it has been confirmed as being feasible. Each project is unique.

In terms of a cost benefit analysis it would make sense to carry it out on the North-South interconnector project to take into account the different issues, including the impact on tourism and the restrictions on future land use. Mr. Slye might comment on those issues.