The Terms of Reference of the Independent review of overhead power lines and pylons has been described as inadequate by Fianna Fáil.

"Today’s announcement by the Independent Expert Panel of its Terms of Reference for reviewing EirGrid’s proposed overhead power lines and pylons is entirely inadequate and does not respond to the legitimate concerns of the people of Meath, Cavan and Monaghan", Fianna Fáil’s MEP candidate for Midlands North West, Thomas Byrne, has said.

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Adding: "The real test of today’s announcement is whether or not it precludes EirGrid from proceeding immediately to a planning application to build the North-South Interconnector. The Independent Expert Panel say they will offer an opinion to the Minister on whether their review process of the Grid West and Grid Link projects could be applied to the North-South project, but unfortunately, there is nothing in their announcement to prevent EirGrid from going ahead with a planning application.

"I am calling on EirGrid, as well as on Minister Rabbitte, to give a public undertaking that a planning application for the North-South Interconnector will not commence until the Panel has given its opinion on it to the Minister and he has had adequate time to consider it."

(CD/IT)