Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The strategic environmental assessment, SEA, directive, 2001/42/EC, which has been transposed into Irish law, establishes the process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes prior to their final adoption. It is the responsibility of the competent authority in the relevant sector, in this case EirGrid, to determine if plans and programmes being prepared by it fall within the scope of the SEA directive and to determine whether there is a requirement to carry out an environmental assessment in consultation with the environmental authorities under the regulation. While my Department has no direct role in the process, I understand an environmental report was published on the Grid25 project.

In announcing the establishment of an expert panel to oversee the preparation of reports on the best route options for the provision of high voltage power lines, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources also announced additional steps being taken to address matters that may arise in the expert panel's considerations. One of these additional measures is a study that will be commissioned by my Department which will engage expert assistance to review and report on international developments in respect of the potential health risks of electromagnetic fields emanating from transmission grid infrastructure. In March 2007 the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources published the report of the expert group established to examine the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The purpose of the new study will be to provide the best available information on published, peer reviewed scientific literature relating to non-ionising radiation and associated health related matters, work carried out under and the findings of relevant international bodies, relevant international and national standards and guidelines since the publication of the 2007 report. I expect the invitation to tender to issue shortly through the eTenders website, with a view to commissioning the study by early March. The estimated completion time of the study is approximately two to three months, thus allowing completion and presentation of the final report by early summer.

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