'We will engage with communities and Eirgrid and others to see if there are better ways of doing this'

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said that, if returned to Government they will continue to engage with the public on the issue of the North South Interconnector and would work with Eirgrid and others in terms of seeing if there are "better ways of doing this."

The North East Pylon Pressure Campaign is holding a pre-election public meeting next Monday (25th November) at 8pm in the Headfort Arms, Kells.

Given the very contentious nature of this project that will see pylons run through Cavan, Monaghan and Meath, a large crowd is expected to attend.

According to the organisers the purpose of the meeting is to give concerned farmers, landowners and affected communities an update on the status of the project and to review the political party promises made prior to the last election.

“There has been no change in Eirgrid’s approach over the lifetime of this Government, namely an arrogant dismissal of affected communities and a plan to force the project through, using whatever powers they have at their disposal,” said North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC) spokesperson, Padraig O'Reilly.

“This approach is failing miserably and the project is at a complete standstill. All that is happening is that Eirgrid and ESB are wasting our hard-earned taxpayers money year in, year out, with the full approval of this Government and with zero accountability. It needs to stop and a new path forward needs to be considered.

“Likewise, five years ago our Government party candidates at local and national level promised a range of actions and priorities, none of which have been delivered. NEPPC will be calling out these false promises at the public meeting, so that those who are affected by the NSI have a clear understanding of the state of play prior to voting on 29th November.”

“The most important point that will be raised at the meeting is that the NSI project remains a dead duck because the vast majority of farmers and communities remain united in their steadfast opposition to the overhead line.”

Asked if he would look at the project again if returned to Government, Mr Martin said:

"We will always consult and engage with people on the issue and it's a very challenging issue.

"We did initiate a review of the policy with the Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan in respect of that, and that didn't change, the outcome of that review was you couldn't go underground for the entirity of that connection and on the other hand we have an energy security challenge at the beginning of Government, so we have that dimension to it too, we do need to expand the grid, otherwise there will be issues around lights into the future and energy supply.

Pressed if he believed communities living along the route of the the planned Interconnector that will see 400 pylons carrying 400KV need to be listened to, he said:

"We've engaged and we will engage and communicate with the public on the issue and also with Eirgrid and others in terms of if there are better ways of doing this."