Pylons could 'militate against jobs', says TD

A local TD will tell a cross-border meeting on pylons next week that EirGrid must respect local communities and go underground with its electricity cables. The meeting, which is being organised by Sinn Finn, will be held in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, on Monday 13th June. The aim of the day is to discuss EirGrid's intention to proceed with its existing pylon proposals "along much the same route". Sinn Fein Navan TD Peadar Tóibín believes Meath needs increased energy capacity to invite in industry and jobs but that "this development has to be safe and it has to be in the agreement of the local community". He said: "EirGrid is a State-owned commercial company and, therefore, has more of a responsibility to respect local communities than purely commercial ventures. It's untrue when elected representatives claim that these bodies are in some way independent fiefdoms." Deputy Toíbín, who is also the chairman of the Save Navan Hospital group, added EirGrid's cables must go underground or it will "militate" against job creation. "We had the same from the last government, when they said that the Health Service Executive determined health policy at our local hospital. No infrastructure should be allowed to be foisted on communities against their will," the Meath West TD claimed. "Meath is an area of major heritage value and one that is not being harnessed for its potential employment. These cables will militate against that happening in future." He added that a strong cross-border campaign against the pylons being erected was needed and this was the aim of the meeting next week.