MEP Matt Carthy once again called for the proposed North-South Interconnector to be routed underground.
He said: "At the National Control Centre of Elia, the delegation learned of the criteria that Elia uses to determine the methods of providing infrastructure. These criteria are similar to what all transmission operators have in place but, at the forefront, is the principal of public acceptance.
"Public acceptance doesn't feature on the EirGrid or SONI criteria whatsoever. It is clear that consideration of the views of local communities is an important factor that has resulted in the ALEGrO project being undergrounded while the North South Interconnector is not.
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"EirGrid has ignored the public acceptance criteria and dismissed the concerns and wishes of local citizens. The company is engaged in a campaign of dismissal and demonisation against those who express an alternative view to them.
"Disgracefully they are using public funds to pay for this campaign with a lavish PR strategy that includes countless hundreds of thousands of euro in sponsorship and advertising of their misleading messages.
"EirGrid and SONI clearly have might on their side.
"On the other side they face local, proud, rural communities. Those communities need political support.
"When in opposition Fine Gael claimed to support the campaign to develop the interconnector using underground technology. In government they have abandoned their pledges and supported EirGrid's agenda.
"Only one party, Sinn Féin, in opposition in this state, in government in the north, has stood steadfast in support of citizens concerns. From the outset our policy has been clear and unambiguous and endorsed by several Ard Fheisanna.
"We support the development of the north south interconnector."
(CD/LM)
