"North South Interconnector Must be Undergrounded"

"North South Interconnector Must be Undergrounded" - Cllr Denise Mullen

The Minister for Environment has confirmed to Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD in the Dáil this week that the EU Commission is currently considering the North-South Interconnector for inclusion in the 'Projects of Common Interest' list which is to be published later this year, despite a previous decision not to include it in the most recent PCI list.

The political party Aontú have said that the Irish government should simply drop it, rather than continuing to pursue the matter, despite the commission’s previous concerns and decision.

Aontú Councillor for Mid-Ulster, Cllr. Denise Mullen, today said:

"The Interconnector must be undergrounded, it cannot proceed any other way, as far as I'm concerned. An over-grounded interconnector would fly in the face of what border communities want. We do not want 409 pylons built through our communities".

Cllr Mullen continued: “Pylons over 50 metres talk and carrying 400,000 V of electricity through them will pose serious problems for our communities. In tourism, agriculture, and health concerns. Already since the project was announced, we’ve seen its tangible impact on property prices. This project is unnecessary and unwanted.”

“The construction of the North-south Interconnector underground is the only way forward. Aontú will work with the department in Dublin, and also with the European Commission to ensure that both entities understand that undergrounding the cables is the only way to go", concluded Cllr Mullen.

ENDS

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.