The government is to set up an independent commission to investigate the feasibility of putting some high tension wires underground.
The proposal was brought to cabinet by the Minister for Energy and Natural Resourses Pat Rabbitte and comes after widespread protests against Eirgrid’s plans for the proposed Grid Link project, which would see a corridor of electricity pylons run through a number of counties including parts of County Tipperary.
The commission will include a retired judge and a panel of experts who will be charged with investigating the options available.
The setting up of the commission was agreed by cabinet today.
Meanwhile MEP Phil Prendergast has said that a report from the Real Estate Alliance of Auctioneers reinforces the argument that the erection of pylons devalues property in areas concerned.
The alliance is made up of auctioneers and valuers from the Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow areas. It states that houses on the route will become more difficult to sell.
The report also made a reference to a number of situations where potential sales allegedly fell through because of Eirgrid’s plans for the pylon corridor.
