Fianna Fail has raised "serious concerns" at the outcome of an expert panel review of the North-South Interconnector project.

An expert panel was appointed to review Eirgrid's proposed Grid West and Grid Link projects. However, FF Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD, is questioning how serious the Government was about genuinely reviewing the options for the North-South Interconnector.

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He said: "The scope of the review didn't afford the panel an opportunity to explore whether an underground option was a possibility. In other words, the people living along the corridor of the proposed overhead pylons will not have a chance to submit their views on the underground option in contrast to those living in the West and South East.

"There was never any appetite on behalf of Minister Pat Rabbitte to fully explore all options for the North-South Interconnector. At the time I said this move was a badly disguised attempt to make soothing noises to communities in the North East, while simply proceeding as planned. My concerns would now appear to have been validated."

(CD/JP)