High-voltage cabling safety review
The Minister said he was arranging a review of reports on possible health effects from overhead power lines and would consider publishing its findings. Since the Arklow–Monastery line would not be energised before the review was complete, he would not direct the ESB to halt construction; he would seek independent expert advice.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will cause to be made public any and all information available to him or to the ESB concerning the possible environmental or safety aspects of high voltage cabling; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
65.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Energy if the ESB will halt construction of the electricity pylons for the 220 KV transmission line from Arklow to Monastery, Enniskerry, County Wicklow until the investigations into the health and environmental factors have been completed.
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 65 together.
There have been many published reports most notably by the World Health Organisation, on the question of alleged effects on human health from overhead power lines. I am at present in the process of arranging a further review of the relevant reports and when this review has been completed I will consider making its findings known to interested groups. As the power line in question will not be energised before the completion of the review I will not be issuing any directive to the ESB on the matter at this time.
Comment on this
Will the Minister inform the House if in the course of consideration of the reports — which are mainly from the World Health Organisation — he will have some expert opinion available to him other than experts from the ESB? Is expert opinion available other than from the ESB?