Sinn Féin is against Eirgrid's plans to develop almost 300 electricity pylons through the northeast.

MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy, made the call after attending the first oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála over plans to build 299 pylons at 26-51 metres in height each through counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath.

Mr Carthy accused Eirgrid of "failing to understand" the depth of people against the plans.

He said: "Sinn Féin representatives have been working closely with all those groups and communities across Monaghan, Armagh, Cavan and Meath who have been campaigning on this issue since 2007 and it is clear that their determination is as resolute as ever.

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"The concerns of local communities are very real; there are genuine concerns in relation to health, safety, the environment and economic development of the areas concerned.

"The position of these communities is very clear – this project can only proceed if undergrounded. Sinn Féin supports this stance – the party has prepared a submission to an Bord Pleanála and my colleague Peadar Toibín prepared legislation on this issue during the last Dáil term.

"The fact is that Eirgird have been able to underground other projects on a similar scale such as Grid West and Grid Link and it has been confirmed that undergrounding is also possible in this case."

(CD/LM)