MEMBERS of Ratheniska, Timahoe and Spink (RTS) Substation Action Group took their campaign against the proposed EirGrid electrical substation to the steps of Dáil Éireann on Wednesday last.
The protest coincided with an Oireachtas briefing of TDs and senators by EirGrid at the nearby Buswell’s Hotel.
A bus load of supporters from the area travelled to Leinster House to protest at what they have described as the “bully boy” tactics by EirGrid, following the company’s High Court challenge when local councillors voted for all-new power lines over 400kv to be placed underground in the county development plan.
Chairman of the RTS Action Group, John Lowry said he was happy with the outcome of protest.
“It went well. We are very happy with the outcome and we got our point across,” said Mr Lowry. “We lobbied all the politicians and they were very supportive to our campaign. It is important that it is not just EirGrid who are giving their side of the story.”
Among the TDs who met the action group members were local deputy Brian Stanley and senator John Whelan.
Mr Lowry said there are now plans being put in place to bring representatives for EirGrid before a Public Accounts Committee, where they will be requested to outline their plans for the controversial substation.
Critical of EirGrid’s stance on the project, senator John Whelan said: “With their cavalier attitude, it is no surprise that Eirgrid are getting people’s backs up all over the country and I certainly have had a bellyful of them. I would be the first to agree that the country cannot afford any undue and costly delays in the provision of vital national infrastructure but Eirgrid are chiefly to blame for this due to the confrontational rather than co-operative approach they chose to take.”
Members of the RTS Action Group are scheduled to meet Labour TD Pat Rabbitte next month.