There was no point in having public consultation on developments like overhead 220kv electricity power lines unless those consultations had a real impact on the final decision.

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she spoke at the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee on Thursday, March 19th.

At the meeting attended by representatives of Eirgrid, Bord Gais and the Department of Energy, Deputy Harkin raised the issue of the planned 220kv power line from Co. Meath to Northern Ireland.  She questioned the concept of the public good argument put forward by the Department of Energy and asked if, irrespective of the strength of public opposition, it was deemed to be in the public interest to proceed.

The Independent MEP referred to the recent decision of Monaghan County Council that there should be no overhead 220kv pylons within 100 metres of schools, churches and houses and said that she would be shocked if a County Council would propose something which was not in the public interest.

Following the Oireachtas Committee meeting, Deputy Harkin expressed concern at the decision of Eirgrid to take judicial review proceedings to prevent the members of Monaghan County Council from varying their County Plan. She said:- “This, if successful, would mean that the democratic system would be usurped and would mean that the consultation with both the public and the elected representatives was merely a fig leaf.  It was designed to give the impression of working together to resolve issues but ultimately it meant that the concerns of those in Cavan and Monaghan would be set aside”.

The fast track planning process, which was deemed necessary to advance public projects, would not necessarily deliver what was in the public interest and this view was being strongly advanced by the people along the proposed 220kv overhead line from Meath to Northern Ireland, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.