Written answers

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Electricity Transmission Network

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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316. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the expert panel set up to look at pylons and their use will look at the existing Moneypoint to Kilcullen line, to see the impact the pylons have had in the areas of tourism, environmental impact, property values, health and agriculture. [11962/14]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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On 28 January last, in response to EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I announced that I had appointed an Independent Panel of Experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide the terms of reference for, and to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on, comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link and Grid West projects under the Grid25 programme. While the two studies will take account of environmental impacts, including visual amenity impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, a review of the transmission line referred to in the Question is not within the remit of the Panel.

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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317. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding his announcement on establishing an expert panel chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Catherine McGuinness to oversee the preparation of reports on the best underground route options to compare with the Grid Link and Grid West high voltage power lines currently being designed; if he will indicate the way community groups make representations to the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11963/14]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 5 on today's order paper.

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