Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased the issue has been raised in the Private Members’ debate because it has a significant impact on my constituency of Kildare South. I have raised the matter on a number of occasions through parliamentary questions, in a Topical Issue debate and engaged directly with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications. I commend my colleague, Deputy John O’Mahony, for his chairmanship of the committee and the work it has done.

I stated on the record of the House previously that an independent, full cost-benefit analysis of all the options must be carried out so that we can adequately examine the position on undergrounding cables or placing them overground and the technical and cost implications of both in order that we can make an informed decision rather than the current situation in which EirGrid has said it is too expensive and that it will not examine the option. It is evident that improved consultation is required because to date it has not been up to scratch. I welcome the extension of the consultation period to 7 January as it will provide extra time. We must listen to people’s genuine concerns about the erection of large pylon structures in their area on health, the environment and the impact in terms of the devaluation of one’s property.

We also need a full, independent analysis of the existing 400 kV line we have in the country that stretches from Moneypoint to Dunstown in Kildare. It has been in place for 30 years. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, for example, could examine the health impacts, if any, on people living in areas adjacent to the line. Such work would be useful.

I concur with what Deputy O’Mahony said, that we should not abandon the process of ensuring that our electrical infrastructure is fit for purpose both now and in the future but we need an open debate about our energy needs, including wind energy, to find out where we are heading.

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