Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have not yet had an independent review with support across the Chamber, but the key to any review of this thorny and important matter is public acceptance.

We do not have that. Eirgrid has recently published its latest magazine and sent it to all the landowners in the area saying what is happening in autumn 2017. As the Minister well knows, a Europe-wide tender for the design and manufacture of 400 pylons was issued recently, exposing the intent of Eirgrid to plough on with its project in its current form. Hundreds of land owners and concerned residents from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath attended a meeting in Aughnamullen community centre in County Monaghan on Monday. There certainly is no public acceptance of the project in its current status. Those people feel that Grid Link and Grid West know that the project is not accepted in its current state, and they feel very aggrieved to see this type of literature being sent out.

The Minister spoke about his review and the issue of compensation. There is not a landowner in counties Monaghan, Cavan or Meath interested in compensation.

See this speech in context