Jobs lie wont silence Pylon protestors - O' Súilleabháin

A North Wexford local election candidate has slammed the government’s attempt to hoodwink the public into believing that the EirGrid debate is about job creation.  Speaking on TG4’s current affairs programme 7Lá, Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that the very real concerns about the impact of these pylons on Wexford's environment, public health, tourism and agriculture were being undermined by the government’s double think-esque strategy of linking the project to job creation.

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."