Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Can we establish if EirGrid receives any direct subvention or funding from the taxpayer to fund its activities? The views expressed by members of Monaghan County Council have been repeated by council members in counties Meath and Cavan about the manner and the conduct of EirGrid during a very flawed process. At an oral hearing I attended, as pointed out last week at a massive rally which was covered by RTE, the views and considerations of Oireachtas Members and councillors were not recorded in a decision made by An Bord Pleanála. The points raised in the correspondence are legitimate. I have examples of weekly advertisements across all print media platforms. EirGrid sponsors radio shows on LMFM and expends significant moneys in sponsoring local and national GAA events. However, that will not be much good when there are 400 pylons running across the three counties that will be impacted on, devastating the lives of the people living in them. It is opportune and only right that Monaghan County Council is posing these questions. Can we identify if there are direct subventions from the taxpayer to fund EirGrid’s activities?