David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte's return to the House to again discuss an issue raised on the Adjournment some weeks ago. I commend Senator Rónán Mullen for the pragmatic wording of the motion which should be supported.

As I said previously, I have no objection in principle to the Grid Link project for the south-east or other EirGrid projects across the island. It is necessary to enhance the supply and expansion of the electricity grid in the south east and across the State. In its stage 1 report EirGrid states the project in the south east will help to secure a future electricity supply for homes, businesses, farms, factories and communities in Leinster and Munster that will provide a platform for economic growth and job creation in the south and east of Ireland and will help Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target, with none of which, of course, we could disagree. However, I cannot support EirGrid's determination to use only overground pylons and wires for the entire routes and to rule out the underground option. One of the Government Senators said there was only one option being put by the campaigning groups and those opposed to the siting over ground of pylons, but EirGrid and the Government are sticking to the overground option only and are not open to the possibility of some underground options

I welcome the establishment of the community based groups about which Members have spoken, that have been set up to help to inform communities and voice the many genuine and serious concerns about the project. Many of the groups are working on a voluntary basis and holding workshops and meetings to discuss the many concerns about the routes chosen and other issues. We should commend them for doing this. It appears that in spite of the clearly expressed opposition of thousand of families who live close to the proposed routes of the power lines and pylons, EirGrid remains committed to the overhead approach to the project. Communities along the route are absolutely opposed to the installation of unsightly pylons and rightly fear for the health of all exposed to high voltage power conduits.

Senator Sean D. Barrett spoke about the planning process. It is essential that we recognise the reality of the outworking of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, on which, to my knowledge, the Minister abstained, while my party opposed and voted against it. This legislation facilitates the forcing through of such projects, regardless of the expressed wishes of communities. Real fears and absolute opposition to the overground approach have been voiced along the entire route through County Waterford and other counties. As I said, large public meetings have been held in many centres. We need to respond to the concerns of the communities, families and citizens affected by the EirGrid proposal. I recommend that the Minister and his Fine Gael colleagues in government revisit the planning and development Act to ensure delivery in this regard. In reality the Act should be repealed. While this is not the responsibility of EirGrid, it is the responsibility of the Government. We need to look at the planning process used to facilitate the progression of projects such as this.

The following concerns have been articulated about infrastructural projects: there is a devaluation of residential property and farmland; there is an impact on future agricultural development, the landscape, the architectural and built heritage; there is the visual impact of pylon towers; there is an impact on lakes, watercourses and their environs; there is an impact on areas of primary and secondary heritage, biodiversity, trees and hedgerows, archeology, wildlife and habitats, the rural and agricultural economy, while there is a potential health impact on humans and animals.

Senators on both sides of the House have referred to a number of studies. Recent studies have shown that serious medical problems can potentially be caused by high voltage power lines of the type used by the ESB and EirGrid. A report compiled by a research team in Bristol University in England found that the electrical charge created by overhead power lines resulted in ill health for people living and-or working close by. According to the findings, they are exposed to three times the average daily dose of damaging chemicals in their lungs that come from car and industrial emissions. Those campaigning for putting the power lines underground say that even though the majority of scientific and medical research has been inconclusive - it is important that everybody, no matter on what side of the debate he or she is, accepts this - nonetheless it is not acceptable that there should be a possible threat to public health when there is a solution available. To my knowledge, the solution is to place the cable underground. Insulated cables laid underground - the Minister may assert this is the most costly option initially - solve the problem of electricity leakage which is the primary cause of the health risk associated with overhead power lines. EirGrid and the Minister need to acknowledge there is a problem and they should look at the alternatives rather than forcing through overhead pylons.

We need to protect the landscape and our tourism product. During the Adjournment debate I mentioned the importance of tourism to the south east; it is seen as a key economic driver for the region and is supported by all of the local councils. The south east is an area steeped in natural history and heritage, with scenic landscapes, mountains, rivers and various heritage sites. Mention was made of the successful rally held on the Comeragh Mountains last week which was attended by public representatives from the Minister's party, as well as the Fine Gael Party. The Comeragh Mountains landscape would be severely compromised by the presence of an overground pylon supported power line infrastructure along the route under consideration. I do not believe future generations will forgive us easily if we allow our unique landscape to be eroded and blighted by the erection of unsightly high voltage powe lines up to 45 m high.

It is important to remind ourselves of what is being proposed by EirGrid. It is proposed to put in place pylons carrying 400 kV of power, that are 45 m high and which can be as close as 50 m to a residential dwelling. It is right and appropriate that we respond to the genuine concerns expressed by communities. I was not at all impressed by the Minister's press statement yesterday, in which he seems to dismiss the very real concerns expressed. He should take the opportunity today to accept that there are concerns and outline what steps he will take to address them and meet the concerns of those in the community who have real fears about the project.