An Charraig

HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS MEDIA RELEASE

Environment Committee to discuss the planning issues involved in the generation and export of electricity

31^st March 2014

The Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will resume its hearings on the planning issues involved in the generation and use of electricity in Ireland and the potential export of surplus electricity to the United Kingdom at its meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 31^st March 2014 when it meets with Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte.

Noel Coonan, Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas  the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, said: “Earlier this month, Minister Rabbitte said that plans to export wind energy from Ireland to the UK are unlikely to go ahead before the end of the decade. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to get an update from Minister Rabbitte on the current state of play in relation to the plan. In particular, we will want to know what the implications are for plans to build thousands of wind turbines in the midlands and also for plans to install hundreds of pylons as part of Eirgrid’s Grid25 project which it says is necessary to safeguard supply and meet renewable energy targets. We will be keen to examine the planning issues involved in projects of this scale. It is a chance to address the concerns of residents in relation to the planned developments and consider the social and environmental impact on communities and landowners in the areas where the projects are planned.”

This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday 1^st April 2014.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/live-flashplayer/committeeroom4/

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Media enquiries to:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie

Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD;  Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).

Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).