The Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Mr. Pat Rabbitte has been strongly urged to take whatever action is necessary to delay the EirGrid planning application for the proposed North South electricity grid between Meath and Tyrone.
Independent MEP Marian Harkin has made this call following the delivery of maps indicating to farmers where the 350 pylons involved are to be located on their farms.
She said:- “The issuing of these maps to farmers indicates that EirGrid is responding to pressure for time to be given for a detailed analysis of the many issues which have arisen in relation to EirGrid’s Grid 25 programme involving an investment of €3.2 billion. This huge project, involving a number of new high voltage overhead lines, has raised serious issues ranging from health and environment to property devaluation. The enormous investment involved will ultimately be paid for by the public and it is their right, and the government’s obligation, to ensure that the public interest is fully protected in the delivery of this project.
“This requires not just an independent assessment of the entire Grid 25 programme including justification of the need for it at a time of major pressure on people’s incomes, a reduction in the demand for electricity and, as of now, an inability on a cost basis to export electricity.
“Minister Rabbitte will be doing nothing but his duty to the country to ensure that a detailed independent justification for this project is produced. We have seen too few evaluations of major infrastructural projects in the past which have cost unnecessary €billions and prevented vital investments elsewhere in the economy.
“For my part I will be organising a conference involving experts from Europe on undergrounding of cables, and experts on possible health issues arising from overhead cables. This conference will include details of the latest assessment of the effects of emissions from overhead cables by the European Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks.
“The Conference, in January, will provide an opportunity for the kind of detailed debate which the €3.2 billion Grid 25 programme deserves and has not, up to now, had”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.
