20 Feb 2012, 16:38
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture will be briefed by a wide range of opinion on the proposed €280 million high-voltage power line from Meath to Tyrone.
Representatives from the International Expert Commission, comprising three industry experts from Sweden, Norway and Belgium and established by Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte TD last year, will present their report on the matter to kick off the proceedings. National Grid operator EirGrid, as well as ESB Networks, will brief the Committee.
The Committee will also hear presentations by the North-East Pylon Pressure Campaign, the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee and Ratheniska Action Group.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “In what promises to be a busy day, the Committee will receive detailed briefings from a wide range of perspectives on the proposed Meath Tyrone electricity interconnector.
The approach of the International Expert Commission, which examined similar ongoing projects in Europe as part of the study, will be detailed. This engagement will inform the Committee’s discussion with the interested parties that follow.
\"While much opinion acknowledges that the interconnector is a key piece of infrastructure for the island of Ireland, the nub of the debate centres on the feasibility of laying the cables underground. Eirgrid claim that the costs of laying the cables underground is prohibitive while community groups vociferously oppose the construction of pylons.
\"Committee Members intend to explore in an open-minded and clearheaded way the issues arising from this debate and the optimum way forward in delivering an important piece of infrastructure for the island, in which national and local priorities are balanced.\"
The meeting takes place in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000, at 12 noon tomorrow Tuesday 21 February. It will run through the afternoon until approximately 6 p.m.
The running order is as follows:
· International Expert Commission, appointed by the Minister, will present the key recommendations of the report
· Presentations by ESB Networks and Eirgrid
· The remainder of the session will include presentations by the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC), Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee, Ratheniska Action Group.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan