TD has 'grave worries' about overground North-South power link

FINE GAEL TD James Bannon warned about the environmental implications of the North-South interconnector.

He said he was not querying or debating the urgent need for the construction of the interconnector, to facilitate the rapidly expanding power needs of the Republic in the face of increases in the cost of coal, gas and oil.

However, he had “grave worries” about the environmental, heritage and health aspects of the initiative.

“Can the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources assure the House that he has given the necessary consideration to the appalling and totally unnecessary devastation of our landscape that building the infrastructure for the North-South interconnector overground will cause?

“I am sure the Minister is familiar with the expression ‘penny wise and pound foolish’. While it is probably easier and less costly in the short term to build overground, the long-term implications could include environmental havoc and financial loss.”

Mr Bannon, who represents Longford-Westmeath, was speaking during the resumed debate on the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008.

He said that public concern was the driving force behind the study the Minister had commissioned into the cost, environmental impact and possible health hazards of overhead lines, as opposed to underground cables.

“The decision to undertake this study follows several months of protests in Cavan and Meath, since EirG rid announced its intention to route 56km of high-voltage lines from Woodlands, Co Meath, to Kingscourt, Co Cavan,” he said.

The protest, said Mr Bannon, was extending to action against the suspension of the building of transmission lines through west Donegal and from Roscommon to Sligo.

“The jury is out on the health implications of such systems, but anyone with an eye in his or her head can see the shocking implications for our tourism industry as scenic routes become surreal visions from pylon hell.

“This issue has been repeatedly highlighted by promoters of tourism and environmentalists.”

Dara Calleary (FF, Mayo) said the construction of the interconnector, subject to the authorisation of the Commission on Energy Regulation, was very important.

“To date, the debate on the interconnector has been about its construction. There are justifiable and considered concerns about the effect on communities of this construction.

“The Minister has set up a process to deal with those concerns.

“Colleagues on all sides are taken aback at the turnout at public meetings of people with genuine concerns about the impact on their daily lives of the project and the pylons.

“If those concerns had been addressed properly from the start, it might have avoided the current level of concern and agitation.”

Mr Calleary said he welcomed the Government’s decision last July to authorise the Commission on Energy Regulation to arrange a design competition for the interconnector.

“This is a small country on the periphery of Europe and our energy supply is not secure,” he added. “This interconnector will allow us to connect with Europe and copper-fasten our energy supply in a way that was not previously possible.”