MORE THAN 500 submissions have been made by members of the public in advance of a new study commissioned by the Department of Communications into whether power lines should be installed above or below ground.
The study, which will begin next Monday, will be used to determine the future of major infrastructure projects including the north-south interconnector which has resulted in recent protests in Co Meath and Co Cavan.
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan has commissioned the study because of growing public concern about high voltage pylons and because of confusion over the cost of putting power lines underground.
The study will consider the cost, environmental impact and possible health issues related to overhead lines and underground cables. The decision follows several months of protests in Co Cavan and Co Meath since Eirgrid announced its intention last year to route 56km of high voltage lines from Woodlands in South Meath to Kingscourt in Co Cavan. More than 30 local opposition groups have been established and Co Meath councillors are also opposing the decision which could see pylons up to 40m tall across both counties as part of the 400kv transmission system.
Mr Ryan said he was aware of the concerns.
"Local groups and deputies from all sides of the house have expressed their desire for an independent study to consider all the issues involved. I am happy, in my position as Minister, to facilitate the furnishing of this information for due diligence and in the interest of the public good."
The Government plans extensive development of the electricity transmission system in the coming years and Mr Ryan said the study would be essential to determining the best system to use.
"I intend that this will be an authoritative report, which will serve to inform all of us on the costs and benefits of overhead and underground transmission lines as we develop our electricity lines into the future".
Groups opposed to the construction of high voltage overhead lines have welcomed the study, but the North East Pylon Pressure Group said that Eirgrid must make no further decisions until the study has reported.
Eirgrid has yet to make a final decision on the route of the power lines, but had hoped to make a planning application to An Bord Pleanála this year. Consultants to undertake the study are due to be announced in one week and will have 40 days to complete their report.
NEPP chairman Francis Lally said the study must treat the Eirgrid proposal as irrelevant and look at the issue of running underground cables with a "clean sheet".
Anti pylon groups across the State are also seeking all decisions in relation to overhead lines to be put on hold. Údarás na Gaeltachta Board member, Gráinne Mhic Géidigh is calling for the introduction of a 110kv transmission line through west Donegal to be put suspended, while anti-pylon campaigners in Roscommon have said they believe a 220kv from Roscommon to Sligo cannot proceed.
