Issues over interconnector case referred to European Courts

A High Court judge has referred legal questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding cost allocation in proceedings connected to the north-South electricity interconnector project. Mr Justice Richard Humpreys made the referral on Friday following a May judgment in which he dismissed a challenge by the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign Ltd, representing approximately 200 landowners in Cavan, Monaghan, and Meath, against An Bord Pleanála's decision to hold an oral hearing. The hearing, which opened in Carrickmacross in March, concerns EirGrid's application to construct approximately 300 pylons as part of the proposed interconnector under Strategic Infrastructure Development legislation. The judge determined that the cost applications raise issues requiring clarification on the application of European law, specifically the Environmental Impact Assessment directive and the Aarhus Convention on environmental access to justice. An expedited preliminary ruling has been requested. The costs applications have been adjourned pending the European court's decision.