Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak. I am glad my colleague spoke about the need for balance because we certainly need it in this area. With four optional routes in County Carlow and one in County Kilkenny, there are many very unhappy people. I will not play politics because I believe this issue is too important to be preying on people's fears and circulating misinformation to promote fear for political gain.

As a member of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, I have had the opportunity to voice my concerns and those of the constituents I represent from counties Carlow and Kilkenny. We have had the newly appointed chairman of EirGrid, Mr. John O'Connor, and the CEO, Mr. Fintan Slye, before the committee. I understand the importance of upgrading the electricity transmission and distribution networks in public ownership throughout the country, but I believe the consultation process that has been in motion until now has not gone far enough in addressing the real concerns and fears of constituents or in actively engaging with citizens. In endeavouring to engage EirGrid appears to have had the exact opposite effect to that desired. However, we are now beginning to see real engagement. I thank the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, for extending the consultation period to 7 January 2014.

There is a perception that there has been a lack of transparency and clear-cut facts. There has been much talk about the effect the upgrade could have on regional economic development. If the project is to support job creation within the major towns along the proposed routes, EirGrid needs to outline how this will be the case. It is not that people want to be unreasonable for the sake of it; they are simply angry and afraid that their concerns are not being heard. Adequate facts are not being put in the public arena.

I raised this issue this morning with the CEO of EirGrid and asked him how, if we were to re-establish the sugar beet industry in Carlow, the proposed project would support that industry. Mr. Slye outlined that he was unable to go beyond the specifics at this stage. I did not expect him to have specifics at the committee meeting, but we need clarification on the local benefits. If there is none, what is the point of the entire project? How can we regain public confidence in EirGrid - it is severely lacking - if we cannot outline any benefit to the communities? If we cannot do so, they simply will not accept it.

I welcome EirGrid's clarification today that it has examined all of the scientific evidence regarding the connection between electromagnetic fields and health problems, with a particular focus on childhood leukaemia. An independent expert was present with EirGrid today at the committee.

The grid development must be based on the best available advice and expertise and must, unquestionably, avoid any human, environmental or landscape impact, particularly along the Barrow corridor in my constituency, which is rich in archaeological and historical significance and has a wealth of natural habitats. I certainly do not want to see pylons destroy the Barrow corridor or any part of counties Carlow and Kilkenny. In the words of the chairman of EirGrid yesterday, "Who would?"

I do not want to pre-empt the consultation process but believe the argument has now moved on to whether lines should be overground or underground. We must have the cost-benefit analysis if the public is to accept the project.

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