Undergrounding report for Irish government
Thursday, 9 October 2008
SDLP Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon has welcomed confirmation from Irish Energy Minister Eoin Ryan TD that independent international consultants will report by June 2009 on whether or not to underground powerlines.
Councillor O'Hanlon said: "I welcome the commitments by Eoin Ryan TD to have the health and safety issues, costs and environmental impacts of overhead electricity cables compared to those undergrounded examined by international experts.
“The eventual outcome of this report will have huge implications for the proposed North South Interconnector from Tyrone to Meath, which is proposed to run through hue parts of Armagh. There are huge health and environmental concerns in the local community and this report can help bring real information to the table.
“We have had claims from Northern Ireland Electricity that to underground this project could cost ten times the amount of overhead powerlines. Eirgrid, the other partner in this North South Project, has said that it could cost up to five times the amount to underground in comparison to over head powerlines and then we have had Eirgrid tell members of a Dail/Oreachtas joint select committee that there is no difference in costs. If the two partners in this project are confused how do they expect local communities to understand it.
“The cost of undergrounding/over head powerlines cannot be just measured in monetary terms, but also the cost to communities, farm families and the quality of life of those living close to the lines. I am delighted that those reporting to the Minister will also take into consideration the views of local communities as well as international experts.
“We need to see the Minister for Environment in the North and our Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment put the brakes on the project in the North until this report has been concluded and published so they can take into account all of the information from all bodies concerned."
