Pylons raised at meeting with Minister Ryan

The proposed north south interconnector and the the rail line to Navan were among a number of key issues for Meath which Deputy Darren O Rourke raised during his first face to face meeting with the new Minister for Climate Action, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan.

“I had my first face to face meeting with Minister Eamon Ryan recently, and I took the opportunity to raise key issues in Meath that fall under his remit as Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport,” the Meath East Deputy said.

“I raised the controversial North-South Interconnector, which is widely opposed by people in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, due to the hundreds of pylons and high voltage power lines that are proposed.

“I stressed the need for the Minister to change tack. While I agree with him for the need to connect the two electricity grids on this island, Sinn Féin want to see the interconnector put underground, to address the legitimate concerns of communities along the route.

“If the new Minister proceeds down the same failed route as his predecessors, the project simply won’t go ahead because of the massive local opposition.”

Deputy O'Rourke stressed the need for the Navan rail line to be delivered to alleviate the commuting nightmare for thousands of Meath residents and highlighted the reduction in carbon emissions this can also deliver.

“He agreed he can’t understand why this key project has been put off for so long. I intend to keep pressure on him to include it in upcoming budget allocations. On a related matter, I raised the range of public and school transport deficits in the county. Our services are not fit for purposes.

“We discussed the state’s waste policy and the implications this has for people living near the incinerator in Duleek and the communities living close to the Knockharley landfill.

“Due to our proximity to Dublin Airport, a lot of residents in Meath work in the aviation sector and in Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

“Workers in this sector are facing a huge challenge due to Covid, and I told the Minister the government’s response in this area simply wasn’t good enough.

“A dedicated support and recovery plan is needed for the aviation sector to save as many jobs as possible and to ensure worker’s pay and conditions aren’t slashed during the current pandemic.

“Sinn Féin vehemently opposed the Fine Gael and Labour selling the state’s remaining shares in Aer Lingus back in 2015, and I asked the Minister if the Cabinet have considered investing in a stake in the airline, to protect jobs and connectivity, as has been done in other countries.

“It was a very useful, constructive meeting, that covered many other areas including our emissions targets, the proposed increase in the carbon tax in the upcoming budget which we oppose, school bus transport and investment in road upgrades.

“The Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport brief is hugely relevant to the people of Meath across a number of areas, and I intend to use my position as Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson to keep pressure on the new Minister to deliver changes that will improve the lives of people here in County Meath.”