Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. Slye for his deliberations here this morning. I welcome the change with Grid Link and Grid West and utilising the existing infrastructure. That is to be commended. We have an existing North-South infrastructure at the moment in time of 220 kV. I realise the difficulty with running a 440 kV cable underground and the expense of that. My question is as follows. We have a 220 kV interconnector and need a 440 kV interconnector North-South. Has EirGrid considered the possibility of running an 220 kV interconnector underground in parallel with the existing overhead that is there? That is an option and if it has not been looked at, it should be. I share the concerns of the people of Meath, Monaghan and Cavan and note their reluctance and the way they have been treated. They see what has happened with Grid West. EirGrid said there were no new options for the interconnector between North and South. Has EirGrid considered the possibility of an underground solution in parallel? It can run in parallel with the existing overhead.

On the question of demand for electricity reducing, we are talking about planning for 2025 to 2030 and 15 or 20 years ahead. There is no guarantee that demand will not increase. More houses and factories are being built, which we encourage, and demand will go forward. I would like EirGrid to look at the possibility of running a complete 220 kV interconnector underground in parallel with the existing overhead. EirGrid has looked at utilising the existing 220 kV and increasing the height of the pylons or adding the odd one in when the spans are too long. I hope that has been looked at. I am not happy that there is no alternative to an overhead interconnector. I am not convinced about it and I would like Mr. Slye to convince me. That is my main concern and it is the concern of the people of the north east. They would gladly welcome a complete underground solution in parallel with the existing line when we cannot do the 440 kV.