Seamus Healy calls for proposed Eirgrid Power Lines to be put underground to protect health and environment Seamus Healy TD: Communities across the country are convulsed at the decision of Eirgrid to install high voltage 400 kva overhead power lines. There is huge concern, frustration and anger at the Eirgrid Gridlinks 25 Proposal across the Munster counties of Cork, Tipperary and Waterford and Leinster Counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare. Thousands of people have turned out at Public Meetings. I want to congratulate all of the Action Groups and legendary cyclist Sean Kelly for his leadership on this issue. This in an intolerable proposal. It is being resisted and will be resisted. Everyone accepts that this country must have top quality electrical infrastructure. What is at issue is the matter of the delivery of that infrastructure. What is the proposal? –to Erect 750 pylons over 250 km - Monsters 45 meter high – 10 times the height of an average bungalow at distance intervals of 300 meters “Where possible???” 50m from houses Residents live with this 24/7 -365 days- for a lifetime They blight the landscape for locals, visitors- and destroy the tourist industry South Tipps – most scenic areas/views Galtee/Knockmealdown Valley, Heritage Town of Cahir /Clonmel, Golden Vale, Slievenamon, Suir Valley – Faugheen/Carrick-on-Suir, Comeragh Mountains – special areas of conservation/habitats are to be detroyed Eirgrid is engaged in “divide and conquer” - set residents and routes against each other-neighbours against each other. Houses are to be devalued by 35/40%, land by 15/30% There are significant Health Issues Best international practice is that high voltage power lines must be laid underground and/or under water. Denmark is a good example, one of many, where underground lines are technically possible and financially feasible. Q: Tánaiste:26 November next is the closing date for submissions to Eirgrid. 1. Will your Government defer the closing date? 2. Will your Government suspend this project pending the outcome of a comprehensive feasibility study carried out, independently of Eirgrid, into the laying of these lines underground and underwater. Reply Tanaiste Eamonn Gilmore Necessary to drive economic growth, 800 km of new power lines North South Transmission line is necessary Must be delivered in most cost effective way possible Consultation with Public is built in to this process Government does not have a role in directing eirgrid to particular routes Seamus HealyTD Supplementary Question Significant Health Issues 1. International Agency for Research on Cancer “ElF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on consistent statistical association of high level residential magnetic fields with a doubling of risk of childhood leukaemia 2. Irish Expert Report 2007 “There is limited scientific evidence of an association between elf magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. This does not mean that ELF magnetic fields cause cancer but the possibility cannot be excluded” 3. World Health Organisation statement is Heavily qualified. “There are no substantive Health Issues related to extremely low frequency electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public” These are not the conditions under which those living near the lines will encounter Eirgrid cannot guarantee that there are no health issues. National and International reports raise serious health issues and doubts. Question: In view of the Health Issues will your Government adopt and institute the precautionary principal (already adopted by E.U. and W.H.O.) and ensure that the Eirgrid proposal to erect overhead high voltage power lines is cancelled and that transmission takes place through shielded lines underground and under sea. Reply by Tánaiste: None of these reports conclusively link ELF transmission to health issues
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:19:02 +0000
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