Madam, - Having lived in Co Meath all my life, I am appalled by Eirgrid's plans to desecrate the Meath countryside and inflict serious health hazards on the local population by the construction of a major power line across the country. A recent meeting in Trim, which I went to, was attended by over 3,000 people. Opposition groups have also been formed in Cavan, Monaghan and the North.
I wish to draw your attention to the following:
1. The plan is in direct contravention of the principles of the Rural Environmental and Protection Scheme (REPS), in which I participate, which is designed to enhance the countryside and to protect wildlife habitats.
2. It is extremely detrimental to the sensitive landscapes surrounding buildings of historical, architectural and archaeological importance. Galtrim House, in which I live, is a listed building.
3. In a wider context, there are very serious health concerns arising out of the creation of hazardous electro-magnetic fields.
4. There are no proposals to compensate property owners for the serious devaluation of their property should this proposal proceed.
5. No consideration is being given to the extremely negative visual impact this plan would have on tourism.
Everyone accepts that we need more energy and security of supply but should this be at the expense of thousands of people? This is fundamentally undemocratic. It is also unnecessary because it could be avoided by burying the cables underground.
Yet again our future is being sacrificed to a quick-fix solution. - Yours, etc,
EILEEN, Countess of Mount Charles, Galtrim House, Kiltale, Dunsany, Co Meath.