Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I have a very brief comment before the Taoiseach responds. It is important to note that today EirGrid placed full-page advertisements in the national press indicating it has made the application for the interconnector from County Cavan to the Border, to link up with Northern Ireland Electricity's corresponding development in counties Armagh and Tyrone. I appeal to the Taoiseach that, if funding is being sought for this interconnector on a joint basis, the critical focus should be to have same placed underground. Communities the length and breadth of these counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Armagh and Tyrone are of one voice, across all opinions and isms, whether Nationalist, republican or Unionist, that the presence of pylons with the various challenges they present in terms of health concerns and impact on respective communities forms a serious risk. It will have a deleterious effect on the landscape and daily life conditions of people, who will be placed in fear. If moneys are to be secured, the real challenge is to place this development underground, in line with the host communities' wishes which must be paramount in any Government's consideration.

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