Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, with regard to the review submitted to him by EirGrid explaining the reasons for the error in the public notice regarding the Meath-Tyrone 400 KV interconnection project, the findings of the review; the actions that will be taken on foot of it; if he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35851/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid applied for planning consent for the Meath Tyrone 400kV Interconnection Development Project in December 2009, under the Planning and Development Act 2000 as inserted by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.

An Bord Pleanála convened an oral hearing on the matter on 10th May 2010. On Wednesday 23rd June, it was drawn to EirGrid's and the inspector's attention that there was an error in the newspaper public notice and site notice relating to pylon height ranges for a section of the project. It is the case that full details of the correct heights of the towers concerned were fully and accurately described in the Environmental Impact Statement and in the accompanying planning drawings, which were submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

EirGrid has undertaken a review of the circumstances which led to the error in the public notice. I have been furnished with a copy of this review. EirGrid informs me that the review is now publicly available on EirGrid's website: www.eirgrid.com

I have already made clear my strong disappointment that EirGrid had to withdraw its planning consent application for this strategically important project. Following the completion of the review, I have asked EirGrid to ensure that all appropriate control procedures are reviewed and enhanced to safeguard against errors in any part of the planning consent application, both for this project and any future development projects. I have received the requisite assurances from EirGrid that all necessary actions have been taken in this regard.