The Minister for Communications, Energy and the Environment has been slammed for "ignoring the fundamental concerns" of the community by proposing a new study in the North South Interconnector dispute.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Niamh Smyth, accused Minister Denis Naughten is "attempting to pull a fast one on the people of the North East".

She said: "The simple fact is that there are major health concerns about the current proposal to over ground the cables, and that the impact on agriculture and heritage will be detrimental to local communities.

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"I am disappointed to see that the Minister is attempting to claim that this new study is based on feedback from local people. If it was, it would be clear that any new study would be focused on health implications and damage to the agricultural economy.

"By focusing on compensation for land, the Minister is attempting to muddy the waters and avoid the nub of the issue.

"Worryingly, this seems like an attempt to divide communities by hanging the carrot of compensation in front of people. It is a divisive and simply cynical attempt by the Minister.

"Any study must investigate the concerns of local people. Anything else is superfluous to the will and the opinions of local people."

(CD/MH)