Conlan seeks urgent meeting with Minister Rabbitte re North-South Interconnector consultation process – 13/03/13

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Sean Conlan, has written to Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, requesting an urgent meeting with all the Oireachtas members in Cavan/Monaghan regarding the need for a proper consultation process for communities affected by the proposed North-South Interconnector.

Deputy Conlan called for all landowners who are affected by the North South Interconnector to be properly consulted on the matter. Deputy Conlan has submitted a Parliamentary Question to Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, on the matter.

“I recently submitted a Parliamentary Question on this issue to Minister Rabbitte which he responded to in Dáil Éireann. The Minister reported that he had been assured by EirGrid that ‘the re-evaluation process is consistent with the framework, particularly as it will continue to be subject to public and stakeholder consultation and input.’

“I stringently contest this assertion by Eirgrid and will take this up with Minister Rabbitte. The experience of communities in Monaghan does not tally with Eirgrid’s version of events. There is a strong feeling on the ground that the consultation process offered was cosmetic at best. It consisted of ‘information nights’ during which the provision of information was far from forthcoming.

“The Government has committed to an early and ongoing engagement and consultation with local communities and all stakeholders before entering planning and I look forward to this taking place. This process has been afforded to the communities in the Grid Link and Grid West study areas and it should be the same for people affected by the North South Interconnector corridor which is now the subject of a new planning application.

“There was clearly a lot of discontent over how the previous planning application was handled and I am keen to ensure that this is not repeated. Those affected by this development are landowners who have farmed these lands in some cases for generations. They are legitimate stakeholders and are entitled to have their say in the consultation process. It is important that the stated Government policy of engaging with these people is seen to have been adhered to.”