Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

415. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which discussions are ongoing regarding the use of pylons or alternatives as means of high-voltage electricity transmission; the extent to which costs are being evaluated and or considered in the context of other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25290/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I presume the Deputy is referring to EirGrid's Grid25 programme. I have appointed an independent panel of experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to examine the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The Independent Expert Panel has held five meetings between 10 February 2014 and 10 June 2014. At its meeting on 2 May 2014, the Panel finalised and approved the terms of reference for comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects, including assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The terms of reference were published on 7 May 2014 and are available on my Department's website. The studies and reports will be undertaken or commissioned by EirGrid in accordance with those terms of reference set by the Panel who will also oversee EirGrid’s study and reporting process. In due course, the Panel will provide an opinion to me on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports undertaken or commissioned by EirGrid and will oversee the publication by EirGrid of the two studies and reports prior to EirGrid proceeding to public consultation on the two projects.

I also asked the Panel to consider what, if anything, it can do with regard to the North South Transmission Line project, and it has considered that issue. Although the North South project was not covered by the Government’s decision, having discussed my request, and in the light of the finalised terms of reference for the studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects, the Panel decided that it would provide an opinion to me on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects with what has already been done on the North South Transmission Line project.

I understand that the Panel wrote to EirGrid shortly after its May meeting to convey its requirements in regard to Grid West, Grid Link and the North South project and that EirGrid is attending to those requirements.

I am advised that EirGrid, in response to the Panel's enquiry regarding the compatibility of the methodologies, has provided a detailed submission to the Panel. This submission was discussed by the Panel at its meeting on Tuesday last. I understand Eirgird made a detailed presentation at that meeting and that the Panel requested Eirgrid to provide it with additional written material. The Panel will continue its work at its next meeting which is provisionally scheduled for 30 June 2014.