Fine Gael plans for investment in the electricity grid to Donegal and the north west to the tune of €200 million will stimulate growth in the region and get people back to work according to Fine Gael bye-election candidate, Cllr. Barry O'Neill.

The plan entitled 'Going for Growth' has been authored the Party's Spokesperson on Communication, Energy and Natural Resources, Leo Varadkar TD and will be published in the coming weeks.

'Going for Growth', is an extension of our NewERA document, and is a detailed plan aimed at stimulating growth, investing in jobs and getting the economy moving again.

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Cllr O'Neill said: "How our economy is doing nationally has serious implications for how we, in Donegal, are doing locally. Investment of €200 million to improve the electricity grid to Donegal and the north west will create critically needed jobs for engineers, construction workers and graduates throughout region.

"Fine Gael's stimulus plan will invest €12.2 billion in our energy infrastructure nationally through the establishment of a new State company, 'Smart Grid', which will merge ESB Networks and Eirgrid. 'Smart Grid' will work towards making Ireland a net exporter of energy by 2030 and producing more than 50% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This will ensure that we are protected from rising energy prices and that our energy bills are reduced dramatically.

"The north west is perfectly positioned to harness green energy in the form of wind and wave power. Investment in sustainable energy will enable us to significantly enhance our energy security now and for future generations. Apart from getting those on the Live Register back to work, investment of this nature will have far-reaching knock-on effects for prosperity in the north west region generally."

(CD/GK)