Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday the planning authorities in Northern Ireland granted planning permission for the Northern phase of the North-South interconnector. This is an issue which has caused great concern in the counties of Meath, Cavan and Monaghan for more than ten years. It has been subject to a number of reviews and a number of court challenges. The granting of the permission in the North of Ireland has given impetus to the decision by EirGrid to ignore the concerns that have been highlighted. I understand that it is its intention to proceed to construction by the end of the year. This will see the need for more than 400 pylons to be erected in these three counties: Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. The opposition in this region is of such an extent that I do not know how EirGrid can progress or proceed to construction, because not one of the landowners will grant it permission to enter their lands to construct these pylons. The underground option is viable. EirGrid is totally ignoring that fact. I ask the Leader to once again invite the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, to the House so that we can get a clear understanding of why EirGrid has ignored the expert advice which shows that the undergrounding of these cables is a viable option, and why it is insisting on the persecution of the communities in the affected areas. No doubt there will be huge opposition in the North of Ireland to this as well.