Sinn Féin to step-up opposition to Eirgrid pylon proposals

4 January, 2008

Sinn Féin elected representatives from both sides of the border are meeting later today in Co. Monaghan to plan an intensified, co-ordinated cross-border opposition to the proposals by Eirgrid and NIE to erect a new above ground north-south 400kv interconnector running from Co. Tyrone to Co. Cavan and the Eirgrid stand-alone proposal to erect a new 400kv pylon supported power line from Woodland (Co. Meath) to Kingscourt in Co. Cavan.

Sinn Féin members of County and Town Council's in counties Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and councillors and Assembly members from counties Armagh and Tyrone will join Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD and Newry Armagh MP Conor Murphy who is the north's Minister for Regional Development at the meeting in Castleblayney this afternoon.

Monaghan County and Carrickmacross Town Councillor Noel Keelan who represents Sinn Féin on the Co. Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee states that it is Sinn Féin's intention to compliment "in every way possible" the campaign of stoic opposition that has manifested itself across the entire length of these proposed new power lines.

Speaking ahead of this evenings meeting Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

"We are at one with campaigning communities across all of the affected counties and will be using our considerable political strength, north and south of the border, to enhance that community led effort to force Eirgrid and the NIE to re-think their approach to these planned power lines." CRÍOCH