Speaking outside Ballyroebuck National School, which stands beside the
proposed route for the new grid, Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;
“People who oppose the EirGrid project do so because they have very
real concerns. Last year Wexford tourism
recorded a bumper year. With
internationally recognised events like the JFK festival in New Ross and the
Wexford Opera festival, we are a prime destination. Is it wrong to worry that the construction of
a network of 250km high voltage overhead power lines might disrupt this? Is it wrong to worry that it will impact on
our traditionally strong agricultural sector?
Is it wrong to worry about the health implications of building this grid
through communities, running it along a route that borders homes and schools
like the one here in Ballyroebuck?”
"Enda Kenny is pulling out
every trick in the book to discredit and ignore the very real concerns being
raised by the anti pylon movement," The Sinn Féin candidate said, "He
has now linked the completion of the Grid Link project with job creation and
halting emigration. He has also called
for a 'rational, common-sense' debate on this issue but has continuously
ignored those who oppose this plan such as the people who braved the weather
for a recent protest on Vinegar Hill.”
"Health damage that could be
caused by this project has been ignored by Kenny and his spin doctors. A recent study by an Oxford Professor stated
that a child's chance of getting cancer increased by 69% when they lived within
200 metres of a pylon. It is accepted by
most people, including our Minister for Health, that low frequency magnetic
fields increase the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia."
“The Wexford Eirgrid Action Group
and other anti pylon movements should be commended for making such a strong
stand on this issue. Wexford County
Council has also made its opposition known.
It seems that whenever the government wants to silence protestors, it
will dangle the carrot and stick of job creation. Pylon protestors are not against job
creation. What they oppose is the very
real health, economic and environmental risks involved with this project."
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