Eirgrid to notify ICMSA members ahead of aerial power line surveys
The ICMSA had an exchange of letters with Eirgrid, following numerous complaints from members about the disturbance caused to cattle by the aerial surveys, which have been carried out by ESB Networks on behalf of Eirgrid.
ICMSA president John Comer said the company has agreed to amend its system of prior notification to his group’s members to facilitate the movement of cattle away from the sites containing the overhead power lines being surveyed.
Mr Comer said: “ICMSA asked Eirgrid to improve communications with the landowners concerned by contacting them by either phone or text a day in advance of the helicopter flights, and thus facilitating the relocation of cattle away from the fields in the flight-path of the ESB Networks helicopters.
“I am happy to confirm that Eirgrid have agreed with our suggestion and ESB Networks will now be asked by Eirgrid to make arrangements to add the names of ICMSA members to the existing list of landowners who are given advance notice of the helipatrols.”
The aerial survey generally occurs over one week in both February and December. Mr Comer said that, while very cognisant of its safety role, there is no doubt the flights were causing a great deal of avoidable distress to the herds immediately below.
“ICMSA notes the response made by Eirgrid here and will continue to press that the company demonstrate the highest levels of sensitivity and cognisance to the farmers on whose co-operation they depend. We’ll continue to watch the situation extremely closely,” he said.
