David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I have no objection in principle to the new Grid Link project for the south east and the necessary enhancement of supply and expansion of the electricity grid in the region. As the Minister knows, the project will involve identifying a number of feasible 1 km wide route corridor options for a new 400 kV overhead power line linking Leinster and Munster. The Grid Link project will help secure a future electricity supply for homes, businesses, farms, factories and communities in Leinster and Munster, providing a platform for economic growth and job creation in the south east and helping Ireland meet its 40% renewable electricity target. That is the object of the EirGrid, which is laudable. Nevertheless, I cannot support EirGrid's determination to use overground pylons and wires for the entire length of the routes and rule out the underground option. In the coming weeks I intend to meet EirGrid representatives, including its chief executive, to discuss my concerns in some considerable detail.

The Minister is aware that a number of community-based groups have been established to help inform communities about the project and voice the many genuine and serious concerns that people have about it. I intend to compliment in every way the community-led campaign of opposition that has manifested across the length of the proposed new power lines. We are at one with campaigning communities across all affected counties and we will continue to use our influence to enhance this community-led effort to secure a rethink of the approach to these planned power lines by EirGrid.

It appears that despite the clearly expressed opposition of thousands of families living close to the proposed routes of these power lines and support pylons, EirGrid remains fixed on the overhead approach to these projects. Communities along 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. It is essential that we recognise the reality of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, which the Minister and my party voted against. This legislation facilitates the forcing through of projects, regardless of the expressed wishes of communities, and there is real fear and absolute opposition to the overground approach, which has been voiced along the entire route through County Waterford and other counties in the region. Large public meetings have been held in several centres and points across Waterford and the south east and the concerns know no political boundaries. People of all opinions and none are coming together as concerned communities endeavour to ensure that EirGrid takes a different approach.

There can be no question whatever that there is significant information on record, with eminent, professional and well-researched opinion stating that there is every reason for genuine health concerns. That fact is indisputable. These communities are also conscious of the visual impact on the environment of the proposed unsightly string of pylon structures stretching across the beautiful and scenic Comeragh area in County Waterford. I am not sure if the Minister has ever been in that part of Waterford but if he has been, he would agree that it would be unsightly and not very popular for any State agency to put pylons through this scenic route.

There are many fears and I am sure the Minister is familiar with many of them. I hope he will take on board these views. What role will there be for communities in the planning process, including the first stage that is ongoing? What supports will be given to communities to raise objections and lodge submissions? EirGrid has much money at its disposal but local communities do not. What supports will the Minister put in place to ensure local communities can have a real voice in the planning process?