Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the advice available to him regarding the undergrounding of 400 kV power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40566/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The planning, development and routing of 400 kV transmission line infrastructure is a matter for EirGrid, which is the State owned body responsible for operating the electricity transmission system in Ireland and I have no statutory function in this regard. Reports have been commissioned by EirGrid on undergrounding technology options for the Irish grid including the Transgrid Report and the TEPCO Report in 2009. My Department also commissioned in 2008 an independent study on Comparative Merits of Overhead Electricity Transmission Lines versus Underground Cables.

The analysis was undertaken by international consultants Ecofys, in partnership with an expert in underground cable technology, Professor Dr Heinrich Brakelmann of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and with Golder Associates, a global group specialising in ground engineering and environmental services.

The programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent international expert commission to review within six months the case for, and cost of, undergrounding all or part of the Meath-Tyrone line. The Commission was appointed in July and I intend to publish its Report early in the new year.