DEPARTMENT FLOATS INDUCEMENT OF COMPENSATION TO BUY FARMER ACCESS FOR ERECTING 400 PYLONS

Michael Fisher

Anti-pylon campaigners have responded swiftly to a report that a government Department headed by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has been floating the plans of EirGrid and SONI to pay out compensation to farmers affected by the proposed North South electricity interconnector. Last week the Stormont Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon of the SDLP announced she had approved plans to build the high voltage overhead line in the North. Her decision prompted strong criticism from the SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh, Justin McNulty, who has long campaigned in support of local objectors for the line to be placed underground …