The NEPPC are calling on Fianna Fáil to clarify their position on the North-South Interconnector project.
This follows comments made last week by Minister Eamon Ryan that he did not intend to order a further review of the development, something Fianna Fáil had previously committed to.
This project has been a point of contention for the people of Cavan, Monaghan, and Meath for almost a decade, with the completion date for the Interconnector already moved from 2012 to 2023.
Recently, questions were raised over the cost of the development per kilometre each side of the border, with some stating that the costs differ, however, Eirgrid responded to these claims confirming that the cost remains at 286 million euro both sides.
During the general election campaigns members of the public as well as local representatives called for clarity from candidates as to their position on the undergrounding of the project, with Fianna Fáil stating that there would be a review of the project in the early months of the new government.
However, despite this the newly appointed Communications Minister Eamon Ryan stated last Wednesday that he would not be ordering a further review and believes the project should proceed under the planning permission it has as a number of previous reports have shown undergrounding the project isn’t feasible.
The NEPPC is now calling for Deputy Ryan to be challenged stating that if not, the project will accelerate a collision course between the public and EirGrid/ESB as land access was not part of the planning approval.
The group say that this is the same approach as previous Ministers and the only assurance they will accept is the undergrounding of the interconnector.
The NEPPC want clarity from Fianna Fail on their position regarding the project, as well as a review.
