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Concerned local communities are left wondering what awaits them after the last minute rush to get submissions on the Gridlink project in. Photo: 123RF

As the dust settles following the last minute rush to get submissions on the Gridlink project in before EirGrid's January 7th deadline, concerned local communities are left wondering what awaits them.

James Caples of the Bride and Blackwater Anti-pylons Group, said people are worried and concerned. "It appears that the political classes are of the opinion that this proposed piece of infrastructure is necessary for the future development of Ireland. Taoiseach Enda Kenny is of the view that, in order to stop emigration, pylons must be built," he pointed out.

His group, in common with many other groups and individuals, believe the infrastructure is planned to facilitate the export of energy produced by the raft of wind farms both in planning and at the development stage. They say the Government want it to fulfil the target set for the country to have 40% of all energy production coming from renewables by 2020.

The opposition group says an independent cost-benefit analysis of the construction of the network of power lines is yet to be seen. They don't believe it will create any long-term jobs after construction and think the benefit will go instead to domestic and international companies.

Nor do they believe it'll stop there at one high voltage powerline. They point to further plans by EirGrid to build more. There's no reason why they couldn't, if the demand was there, they say, build another line parallel to the first.

They feel EirGrid's consultation process was superficial at best. They are taken aback by the Government party members cavalier response to their concerns. "It appears that whether the public likes it or not the project is going ahead," James Caples says. "Arguments about health, tourism and scenic beauty are dismissed without contemplation of their merit and proposals of viable alternatives such as undergrounding of cables are rejected."

On a positive note, he says, the actions of EirGrid and the comments of certain politicians have served to promote inter-community awareness and cohesion.

"Throughout a recession-hit countryside, neighbours and communities are bonding together with a common goal. They are united in that they do not want to be exposed to the side effects of the proposed 400kV GridLink project. Parishes are banding together, researching the facts surrounding the current controversy and questioning why certain politicians don't appear to be listening to the electorate's real concerns."

He points out that weekly meetings hosted by action groups are taking place throughout east Cork and west Waterford, getting their message out. Some are opposed to the pylons, some are trying to promote alternatives and others question the need for such infrastructure in the first place.

Given that it is a hot political issue, the Bride and Blackwater Anti-pylons group have no doubt but that it will feature strongly in the upcoming local and European elections. Members know the views of Government ministers. They now want to hear the views of more local public representatives, i.e. the TDs and MEPs of the area.

They, along with other opposition group, have already met Independent MEP Nessa Childers. They put their case to her and solicited her support when they met her recently in Lismore. Some others have already accepted an invitation to attend a meeting to discuss the matter.

That public meeting will be held in Conna Sports Complex on Friday, January 31, at 8pm. People from all communities in the affected areas are invited to attend.

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