The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan has announced plans to conduct an independent study on power line infrastructure in Ireland.

The national study will address the merits of installing underground cables instead of overhead power lines.

It will consider and compare the merits of underground cables and overhead lines in regard to technical characteristics, reliability, operation and maintenance factors, environmental impact, possible health issues and costs.

Ireland currently has approximately 6,000 km of high voltage electricity lines.

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The Minister said: "I am aware of considerable concern in local communities about the impact of overhead lines. Local groups and deputies from all sides of the house have expressed their desire for an independent study to consider all the issues involved.

"I am happy, in my position as Minister, to facilitate the furnishing of this information for due diligence and in the interest of the public good."

EirGrid is the state agency charged with the development and operation of Ireland's transmission system. It is currently engaged in a public consultation process on proposals to build two new transmission lines from Meath to Cavan, and from Cavan to Tyrone as part of the North-South transmission system development. Decisions on overhead versus under-grounding of transmission lines are an operational matter for EirGrid itself and are subject to the rigours of the planning process.

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will commission the study over the coming weeks with a view to its completion and publication in April 2008.

(VB)