Consultants to report on underground power lines option

International consultants will report by next June on whether to bury high-voltage power lines underground, it was announced today.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said the Government has commissioned the national study to get professional advice on health and safety issues, costs and environmental impacts of overhead electricity cables compared to a buried network.

The cost of putting controversial lines underground has been estimated at five times that of conventional wires strung through pylons.

"The aim of the study is to provide further clarity and information on all of the issues in relation to underground cables and overhead lines," Minister Ryan said.

"In so doing, we can help inform decisions on all current and future transmission line projects."

Residents living near a controversial planned power line route which would include a north-south interconnector through Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone and Meath had expressed concerns about the impact of overhead cables earlier this year.

A collective group, North East Pylon Pressure (NEPP), wants the cables to go underground and raised concerns during pre-planning consultations with state-owned company EirGrid, which runs electricity transmission system and the construction of power lines.

Consultancy firm Ecofys will also consider 500 submissions from the public as part of their report.