Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Bill. I also welcome the new North-South interconnector and the necessary enhancement of supply and expansion of the electricity grid in Ireland. EirGrid and Northern Ireland Electricity, NIE, are planning to put in place a North-South 400 kV interconnector running from County Tyrone to County Cavan. EirGrid has a second stand-alone proposal to erect a new 400 kV pylon-supported power line from Woodland County Meath to Kingscourt in County Cavan.

I have met with representatives of EirGrid and made clear my support and that of Sinn Féin for the development of the power network on an island-wide basis. However, I cannot support EirGrid's and NIE's fixed determination to use overground pylons and wires for the entire length of these routes and to rule out the underground option. I have met with EirGrid representatives, including its chief executive, and discussed with them all of this in some considerable detail. We have exchanged a considerable amount of correspondence on the matter.

On 4 January, Sinn Féin elected representatives from both sides of the Border met in County Monaghan to plan an intensified and co-ordinated cross-Border opposition to the above ground proposals in line with the clearly stated views of the communities they represent. Sinn Féin members of county and town councils in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and councillors and Assembly members from counties Armagh and Tyrone joined me and Newry-Armagh MP, Conor Murphy, the North's Minister for Regional Development, at that meeting in Castleblayney.

Monaghan county and Carrickmacross town councillor, Noel Keelan, who represents Sinn Féin on the County Monaghan anti-pylon committee, stated our intention to complement in every way possible the community-led campaign of opposition that has manifested itself across the entire length of these proposed new power lines. We are at one with campaigning communities across all affected counties and will continue to use our considerable political strength north and south of the Border to enhance this community-led effort to secure a rethink of the approach to these planned power lines by both Eirgrid and NIE.

In February, Bairbre de Brún, Sinn Féin, MEP, received from the European Commission a response to a question she tabled in the European Parliament on the undergrounding of power cables and, in particular, the need for guidelines on best practice regarding the installation of high voltage wires in residential areas. The Commission stated it will issue no such guidelines. However, Bairbre de Brún has pledged to continue to raise this issue with the Commission. I believe that not only must she do this but that the Commission must address this issue.

I have noted that one of the documents emanating from the European Union and referred for scrutiny earlier this year related to the number of hours in a working week that employees of the overground pylon-supported power lines may work while directly under the particular power lines. It is interesting that the Commission is considering the introduction of a tachograph for employees subjected to emissions from the power lines but will not address the issue of the potential hazards they represent for people who spend not alone the greater part of their working lives but the greater part of their leisure and sleeping time within close proximity to them.

It would appear that despite the clearly expressed opposition of thousands of families living close to the proposed routes of these power lines and their support pylons, EirGrid remains fixed on its overhead approach to these projects. Communities the length of the proposed power lines are vehemently opposed to the installation of unsightly pylons and rightly fear for the health of all exposed to high voltage power conduits. They are fearful for themselves, their families and for the children of these communities.

As I pointed out in an Adjournment debate last December, it is essential we recognise the reality of the outworking of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 which the Minister and I opposed and voted against. This legislation facilitates the forcing through of such projects, regardless of the expressed wishes of communities. Real fear and absolute opposition to the overground approach has been voiced along the entire route through counties Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan and over a large swathe of County Meath. Very large public meetings have been held in several centres. The concern knows no political boundaries as has and will be demonstrated here and people of all opinions and none are coming together as concerned communities endeavour to ensure that EirGrid and NIE take an underground approach.

There can be no question that there is significant information on record. Eminent professional and well-researched opinion stating there is every reason for genuine health concerns is indisputable. These communities are also conscious of the visual impact on their environment of the proposed unsightly string of pylon structures stretching some 130-plus km along the length of the two routes suggested.

We need to respond to the concerns of communities, families and citizens directly affected by the EirGrid and NIE proposals. We need to restore access to the proper planning process. I recommend a revisiting of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act by the Minister and his Green Party colleagues in Government to ensure delivery in this regard. We need to ensure there is compliance by all wishing to see major projects undertaken and to ensure that communities and citizens have the right to engage as objectors in the normal course. As I stated already, the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act should be repealed.

I urge the Minister to listen to the many thousands of voices of concern at the EirGrid and NIE power line proposals. This is not an argument against development as made clear in my opening statement in the course of this contribution. It is less an argument against North-South development. The contrary is the case; I totally support and welcome all such initiatives. It is an argument for a better way and the Minister should prevail upon EirGrid and NIE to take that better way.

I close by citing directly the submission made to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources by my colleagues, councillors Jackie Crowe and Noel Keelan of Monaghan County Council, Paddy McDonald of Cavan County Council, Michael Gallagher of Meath County Council, Paul Corrigan of Armagh City and District Council and our party activist in County Tyrone, James Gildernew. They make the argument reflective of what communities are saying. It is a universal position. The EirGrid-NIE consultation process was grossly deficient; route options are unsatisfactory with repeat intrusions to within, in some cases, 50 m of private dwellings and livestock holding areas.

Drumlin landscape would be severely affected by the presence of overgroundpylon-supported power line infrastructure along all of the routes under consideration. Their presence would be no more acceptable across the rolling farmlands and scenic river valleys of the southern reaches of the proposed new power lines.

Genuine concerns are repeatedly raised with us regarding the health risks that arise from 400 kV overhead lines located in close proximity to homes and schools. The basis for these concerns is contained in the many studies carried out that show an increased risk of cancer-related illnesses, such as leukaemia, from the electromagnetic fields that overhead lines create. Underground cabling presents no comparable threat. It has never been proven satisfactorily that EMF exposure is not harmful. We should note that the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament has unanimously recommended that the Scottish Parliament adopt a precautionary approach to any and every overhead power line proposal that presents because of its concerns at the health effects associated with living in close proximity to high-voltage overhead transmission lines.

Tourism will be greatly curtailed if the landscape is blighted with these pylons. Householders and landowners will see the value of their property drop significantly. Planning restrictions will result from the sterilisation of land over a radius out from these pylons. These are all farming counties highly populated with livestock and wildlife habitats. Many farmers in Monaghan, Cavan and Meath are participating in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, REPS, and are looking after the environment for future generations. The proposed pylons would represent a blot on the landscape and would be in total contradiction to the aims of the scheme.

Underground cables have lower transmission losses than overhead lines because, due to thermal reasons, underground cables have a larger conductor and therefore significantly smaller losses. Studies on several 400 kV transmission grids show that the characteristics of underground cables can in many cases be beneficial to the overall performance of the network. Disturbance of underground cables occurs less frequently than for overhead lines. Overhead cables are affected by severe weather. Only outside influences can disturb and damage underground cables. Underground cables are low-maintenance compared to overhead lines.

Underground cables — at installation — cost more than overhead lines but the fact that they are low-maintenance, have lower transmission losses, have a longer lifespan and no environmental impact, including visual intrusion, leads us to conclude that the initial additional outlay will be offset over time by the many advantages, not least of which must be the peace of mind of our fellow citizens whose understandable and justifiable health concerns will have been met.

I appeal to the Minister, while we await the outcome of the review he has commissioned, to give serious consideration to the views expressed by this Deputy and others over the course of the remainder of this Second Stage debate. I appeal to the Minister not to allow a situation where crass euros and cents would be the sole determinant factor in regard to what means will be employed by EirGrid and by association by NIE. There are many issues that must be taken into account. We should be looking at the whole life cost over the projected life expectancy of these new interconnectors, power lines, or whatever terminology the Minister wishes to employ. I contend that the cost over the life expectancy, be it 40 years or whatever the case, by comparison between overhead and underground will show, at the very least, a balancing of the books and for the peace of mind, something one cannot translate on to a balance sheet, of the people who will be directly affected by having to live in close proximity to the current choice of EirGrid and NIE, we have a bounden responsibility. If we were among those families to be affected we would be as vociferous and as determined as they have shown themselves to be. I appeal to the Minister to act responsibly and to respond to the all-elected view, and the opinion of the people of the affected areas, the affected counties and constituencies and use his office to give direction to EirGrid to proceed by underground cabling.

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