Sinn Féin TD Sandra McLellan, has said the central issue for EirGrid is whether they will impose high voltage pylons on communities or put in underground cabling.

Speaking during the Dáil debate on Pylons, the Cork East TD said: "Sinn Féin fully agrees that Ireland's infrastructure must be of the highest international standard and must continuously be improved and upgraded to ensure we deliver electricity to those businesses and households who need it. This must be done in the most sustainable, cost effective manner possible. This is vital to meet our international carbon emission targets.

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"But we are concerned the impact that construction of the proposed high voltage power lines would have, most notably in the areas of, agriculture, health, environment and on land and property value"

"I have been contacted by numerous constituents of mine about this issue, and there is huge concern regarding this among communities such as Knockraha, Conna, Dungourney, Clonmult, and many other areas.

"The central issue for EirGrid is whether they will impose high voltage pylons on communities or put in underground cabling. EirGrid argues that pylons are cheaper and more cost effective. This is short termism at its worst. It was this sort of drive for short term gain that brought the economy to near bankruptcy in the not so distant past. We need to be looking long term.

"Sinn Féin's position is clear. Underground cables, at installation, cost more than overhead lines but the fact that they are low-maintenance, have lower transmission losses, have a longer life span and no environmental would suggest that the initial additional outlay will be offset over time by the many advantages. So in the longer term underground cabling is far more cost effective and environmentally friendly."

(CD/JP)