Structuring of the North South Interconnector under ground is "not technically feasible." That's according to Chief Executive of Eirgrid, Mark Foley who attended this afternoon's sitting of Monaghan County Council.
Speaking at this afternoon's council meeting, Eirgrid CEO Mark Foley said he has spent the last number of years researching the project and an alternative approach to overhead wiring is not scientifically possible under the laws of physics.
Despite this, the CEO's response was met with overwhelming criticism and discontent by local representatives who reiterated the message that the over grounding of the North South Interconnector would never be accepted by the people of Monaghan.
As a result, Fine Fail's Seamus Coyle on behalf of Monaghan County Council put forward a motion demanding that Minister Eamon Ryan and Government members take immediate action in carrying out a full Independent appraisal of the under grounding of the North South Interconnector.
Cllr Coyle highlighted how the project will have have a "huge impact" on landscape, tourism, agricultural activity, property valuations and communities - who have for the past two decades clearly voiced their opposition to the over grounding option.
Monaghan County Council also requests that Minister Ryan and the Government fully investigate the status of the planning permission as granted by An Bord Pleanála for the North South Interconnector.
It was widely voiced by local representatives that if the Government and Eirgrid persist with attempts to commence works on over grounding the North South Interconnector, then this would lead to huge opposition on the ground and lead to years of further delay in the delivery of the project, which according to some would only bring unwanted horror, anger and disruption right across local communities in Co Monaghan.
