Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The opening line under the energy policy section of the programme for Government states, "It is clear that there is a need for much better engagement with citizens and communities about the energy policy decisions that affect them". Last Thursday at the EirGrid annual conference held in Dublin Castle, the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, when speaking about the decision by An Bord Pleanála in Christmas week to grant permission for 400 overhead pylons through counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, told EirGrid that the authorities in both jurisdictions "are clear in [their] support for this vital element of electricity grid infrastructure". There is no support for EirGrid's proposal through the impacted counties and the elected members, from councillors to Deputies, have registered their opposition. Has the line about listening that is contained in the programme for Government any meaning or is the Government, as the Minister of State put it, clear in its support for EirGrid's 400 overground pylons?

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