Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the panel carrying out an independent review of EirGrid pylons will meet with residents affected by these structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19953/14]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to previous questions in relation to EirGrid's plans to install overhead pylons in County Waterford and other areas of the countryside, where this process now stands; if his Department has taken steps to request an international assessment of EirGrid's proposal; if EirGrid has consulted with him following the initial consultation process; the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19944/14]

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Colreavy should buy a lottery ticket this week.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He is on a roll.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

His leader bought two.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the advice, which I will take.

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

To limit the lottery possibilities, I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 129 together.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 129 together.

During the course of engagement by EirGrid in its public consultation processes, and most recently in relation to the Grid Link project, on which 35,000 submissions were received, a number of key concerns emerged. This has necessitated considerable review and reflection in order to determine the optimum approach needed to address those concerns that are valid, while at the same time ensuring adequate and effective electricity transmission capacity in the State.

Arising from examination of the concerns expressed, I have put in place a number of measures to deal with the immediate concerns on the Grid West and Grid Link projects, while also addressing the generality of commentary on the need to improve stakeholder and community engagement on all Grid25 projects for the future.

I have appointed an independent panel of experts, chaired by the Hon. Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, to examine the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The panel of experts will decide the terms of reference for comprehensive, route specific studies of fully underground and overhead options for both projects. They have been asked to ensure that the studies are complete, impartial, objective and comparable and will submit a report to me on these matters in due course. Both the overhead and underground options will be published side by side, in objective and comparable terms, before consideration is given by Eirgrid to the appropriate next steps for each of the projects. The panel has also been asked to consider what, if anything, it can do with regard to the North-South transmission line project. The panel has commenced its deliberations and I understand that the panel has had several meetings, most recently last Friday. I further understand that the panel expects to be in a position to announce the terms of reference for the panel itself, as well as the terms of reference for the Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects, very soon. In the interests of completing its work in a timely manner, the panel does not consider it would be possible to accede to requests for meetings with third parties, given the likely volume of such requests. However, should anyone wish to submit material to the panel, they may do so by email to expertpanel@dcenr.ie.

Additionally, I have asked the chairman of EirGrid to undertake a comprehensive assessment with a view to improvement of EirGrid’s community engagement processes and procedures, having regard to the significant public concerns raised on this issue. In that regard, EirGrid made an announcement on 28 March 2014 that it has initiated a thorough review of its consultation process to improve future public engagement; this review will include an external review of their processes. The overall review is expected to be completed by June and its findings will be published, including recommendations to improve future public engagement.

EirGrid published an interim report on the emerging themes from the Grid Link project consultation on 28 January. A copy of this report is available on the EirGrid website. All of the submissions which EirGrid received on the project are being examined by the EirGrid project team. I understand that once a thorough and detailed examination of all the submissions has been completed, a report will be published on the project website, and EirGrid will respond to all correspondence as quickly as possible.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. The expert panel would not be having these discussions except for the fact that the local community protested and spoke about their serious, valid concerns about what appeared to them to be a policy decision driving practice that did not take their rights into account. It is important that those in the community know that it is not just the companies' technical advice that is informing this inquiry and that their concerns, which have been outlined in great detail, are seriously addressed because unless specific concerns are answered, communities will continue to voice the same concerns. They need to be identified and answered, and the answers must be explicit.

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

I thank Deputy Colreavy but that is the purpose of public consultation. That was provided in the arrangements. We are talking about a plan that was settled on in 2006 so nobody can seriously suggest that they have been overtaken by its suddenness. The public consultation phase allowed for this element of participation by the public, and we are responding to that. The Deputy is correct. Valid considerations ought to be responded to and taken into account but as he is well aware, there is a great deal of nonsense out there as well and if it was not for the scale of misrepresentation, exaggeration and so on, it would be possible to more efficiently respond to this matter.

The serious side of all this is that the country has to have an energy supply and there is no point in Deputy Colreavy complaining to me about bringing employment to Dromahair, under Ben Bulben's head and various other places in Sligo that I would dearly love to see employment go to if we do not have a reliable energy supply. There are only a few ways known to man so far in terms of how energy can be transmitted, and walking around waving placards at it will not cause the lights to go on or supply a local factory or plant that might locate in different parts of regional Ireland. In terms of the requirements of industry, energy, water and connectivity are the three big concerns today, and I cannot afford to lose sight of that.

I am happy that the consultation process is a rigorous one. The planning arrangements are very rigorous. Every care has been taken by the State to ensure that nobody has advanced a valid apprehension that will not be genuinely tested but at the end of the day, the lights cannot be allowed go out. What do we do with the tourists when they arrive at Dublin Airport? Do we give them lanterns? We must maintain an energy system in this country that is fit for purpose.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister would overcharge them for the lanterns.