Kenny wants North-South interconnector included in pylon review

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he would like to see the proposed North-South electricity connector included in the review of EirGrid's plans to erect a network of pylons.

Mr Kenny was replying to questions in the Dáil today on a claim by the Monaghan TD Sean Conlon he had been told by the Taoiseach that the expert panel would have the power to commission a new report on the interconnector if deficiencies were found in a 2012 report on the project.

“What I have said to deputies I have met, as the Minister has agreed, that the public would be very reassured if they knew that the overhead and the underground options have both been fully investigated and the already published studies in the case of North-South are sufficient to enable a similar comparison to be made by An Bord Peleanala when they come to decide on the merits of the planning application,’’ said Mr Kenny.

The Taoiseach said that Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte would meet with the chairwoman of the expert panel, former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness, on Friday to discuss the programme of work.

“That programme of work by EirGrid includes the two grid link and grid west and the already advanced work done on the North-South connector,’’ he added.

“And I would like to see the commission have its remit extended to cover that so that there is equality of assessment and fairness for all the people all over the country… so that whatever the decision, at the end of the day, is based on cost and all those other factors, that people will clearly understand the nature of the decision to be made.’’

Mr Kenny said the interconnector was needed as a critical piece of infrastructure.

The Taoiseach rejected claims by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Darragh Calleary (FF) that the Government had set up the review because of next May's European and local elections.