Construction of pylons across Meath could start this Autumn

Anti-pylon campaigners were dealt a massive blow this morning (Tuesday) when Northern Ireland’s planning authority gave the green light to the controversial North-South Interconnector.

This permission effectively paves the way for the massive 400-pylon project to begin construction this autumn.
However, residents along the route are preparing for battle following confirmation of planning permission, and landowners have warned that the ESB will not gain access to their lands.
“Nothing has changed. It is one thing getting planning permission, it is another to get access to the lands and 97 per cent of land owners will not even talk to EirGrid,” Padraig O'Reilly of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC) said, and he accused EirGrid of using “tactics of bribery and propaganda.”
The ESB Group welcomed the decision which comes following a Public Inquiry into the project held in Armagh in February 2017.

Padraig O'Reilly of NEPPC
An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the southern element of the North South Interconnector in December 2016. This decision has been upheld in the High Court following a number of legal challenges; with the final judicial review concluding last week.
Both sides are also awaiting the results of two government reviews into the project, which are expected to rubber stamp the proposals.
John Fitzgerald, Director of Grid Development and Interconnection at EirGrid Group, said working with landowners and the community will remain a priority: “We very much welcome this outcome from the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure. "The North South Interconnector is undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island today and will deliver very real benefits to domestic and commercial consumers across the country.”
David Martin of EirGrid said the whole area of compensation for landowners was very important. Speaking on LMFM last week he said “ We will be looking to sit down with the Irish Farmers Association and striking a deal, to compensate for those landowners who are directly affected.”

This week's Meath Chronicle Front Page
Padraig O Reilly of NEPPC said the planning approval does not include access to the lands where the pylons are proposed to be constructed.
“Bord Pleanala has not approved any single one of the 584 access routes required through the lands in order to carry out construction. EirGrid has the responsibility of trying to get over 400 landowners to grant access to their lands. But 97 per cent of these landowners have signed up official Forms of Authority to NEPPC and to Monaghan Anti Pylon Committee (MAPC) requesting that we solely represent their interests, and stating that no access will ever be granted to EirGrid. They do not even want to talk to EirGrid because of the disgraceful way the company has acted over the last 10 years.”

He accused EirGrid of trying to divide and conquer communities with compensation and propaganda.
“They plan to use electricity consumers’ monies from our ESB bills to hand out payments to local community organisations in a bid to bribe communities into acceptance of the company’s 400,000 volt lines and pylons.”
In welcoming the project Mr John D Fitzgerald said ; “The project has received strong support from businesses and employers because of the positive impact it will have on the economy, and from consumer groups as it will help reduce the cost of electricity. It will also provide local advantages in the North East by strengthening the electricity network in the region; a catalyst for inward investment and job creation.
“While we recognise this project is to the benefit of everyone, we will continue to work to ensure that it is delivered at the least possible impact to the communities and landowners who are hosting it.
“In the coming months we will hand over the project to ESB Networks who will construct the Interconnector, in the meantime we will be engaging with landowners and the community, ensuring they remain up-to-date on progress and timelines,” he said.
“We're working very closely with ESB Networks now on the final design, and making sure they can hit the ground running, in terms of construction later this year.”

Deputy Peadar Toibín said he was deeply disappointed at the decision. "The decision I understand is open to Judicial Review and potentially to a future Minister’s decision," he said.

"The key point here is that the government here in the south has political control over the project now and could put the brakes on it. This is entirely in the gift of the Minister and the cabinet. There is a deep frustration in Meath that the government have strategically sat on their hands throughout this process. The technology is there to underground this interconnector at a cost that would make it economically viable."

He said the government was sleep walking into an enormous crisis on the ground in Meath, Monaghan, Cavan Armagh and Tyrone as 95 per cent of the land owners have stated that they will not allow EirGrid onto their land to build this. "If the FG government does not take the necessary political decision we could be well looking at a Shell 2 Sea type dispute arising in these counties. 

"I will seek to raise a debate on this issue in the Dáil at the soonest possible occasion," he concluded.