Controversy over pylon project

Sir, – I wish to respond to the letter from Comeraghs Against Pylons (November 4th).

EirGrid develops electricity infrastructure projects as part of its statutory duty of maintaining secure, reliable electricity supplies in all regions. I also feel it is important to place on the record the extensive commitment we have made to public consultation on the project which was referred to in the letter.

The Grid Link project was publicly launched by Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte, in April 2012 and received considerable coverage in The Irish Times, as well as other national, regional and local media. Since its launch the project team has undertaken three lengthy consultations of which the current consultation is an extensive 12-week period.

At the outset, the project extended over a very large study area consisting of 12 counties across the south and east. The project has now moved from this broad study area to a number of possible 1km corridor options. This is the first point at which corridors were identified within Waterford and more pointedly Dungarvan. In reflection of this, advertisements were taken out in both the Dungarvan Leader and Dungarvan Observer as part of the preparation for the third round of consultation. With regard to the comprehensiveness of the consultation, EirGrid is fully committed to public consultation and has undertaken extensive activities to raise awareness across Munster and Leinster, This has included more than 120 community/ business briefings and events at agricultural marts, shopping centres, libraries and local agricultural and community shows. In addition, 33 public information open days were held where the EirGrid Project Team were on hand to discuss the project, answer questions and record stakeholder feedback.

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With regard to Co Waterford, EirGrid has held 14 events to date, eight of which were held in Dungarvan including the local mart and shopping centre and two open days. EirGrid also placed three rounds of advertising on WLR local radio and in local press since April 2012 and generated numerous reports and interviews on local radio and print media in Co Waterford (including Dungarvan press). Promotion of the project does not rely on advertising alone, but includes mailings to community and sporting groups, schools, libraries and members of the public who have engaged with the team, mailings and briefings to local and national public representatives, radio interviews, newspaper articles, a project website, the use of Twitter, and advertising in local radio and national and local press.

EirGrid has also set up five information offices across the region, in Kildare, Carlow, Tipperary, Wexford and Cork. Based on the intensive and extensive process demonstrated, I believe it is important that this commitment to consultation is recognised.

The current focused period of non-statutory public consultation is the third such period and is seeking feedback on any aspect of the project which has recently identified the 1km wide feasible corridor options.

All information gathered will help inform the identification of the least constrained corridor which will be subject to further consultation in 2014.

Further studies will be undertaken and we expect to lodge a planning application with An Bord Pleanála in 2016 at which stage the Grid Link Project will enter the statutory process including statutory public consultation.

In the meantime we will continue to consult and engage and welcome all feedback from members of the public. – Yours, etc,

JOHN LOWRY,

Project Manager,

EirGrid,

Shelbourne Road,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.