Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason his Department has assumed responsibility for a non-ionising radiation monitoring programme in relation to the monitoring programme for the east west interconnector magnetic field [55293/12]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the criteria for independence applied to the formation of the independent monitoring programme for Eirgrid's east west interconnector's magnetic field and its members, including when and where the positions were advertised; the person who appointed them; their names and their terms of reference. [55294/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.

Responsibility for non-ionising radiation lies with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. However, I and the Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, TD, agreed to the appointment of an independent expert panel to consider and comment on data and report on Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) emissions in relation to the East West Interconnector (EWIC) electricity cables. The independent panel is made up of three experts in their respective fields, one of whom (appointed by Minister for Health) is an expert in epidemiology. Another (appointed by me as Minster for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) is an electrical engineering expert. The third member of the independent panel (chosen jointly by both Ministers) is an acknowledged international expert in high-voltage electricity grid systems. I would stress that these are three independent highly qualified experts who will report on and publish their findings on EMF emissions in relation to the EWIC.

The independent panel met for the first time on Friday, 23 November 2012 and was provided with an introductory briefing on the background and context to the establishment of the panel. There was a brief discussion on the approach to be taken in relation to the work of the panel. The work programme of the panel is being progressed and the next meeting of the panel is planned for January 2013, after which that a first set of measurement data and commentary will be made publicly available.