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Reilly letter “should be a concern for all citizens” – Labour senator

James Reilly raised concerns with Phil Hogan over the placing of electrical cables in his constituency.

A LETTER SENT by the Health Minister that raised concerns about electro-magnetic fields in his constituency should concern everyone in Ireland, a Labour Senator has said.

Denis Landy, who lives in Tipperary, said that the letter that James Reilly sent to Environment Minister Phil Hogan outlining concern over electromagnetic fields created by the Eirgrid East-West Interconnector, lent weight to the 35,000  objections that had been made to Eirgrid’s plan to place pylons in rural Tipperary.

“The Minister’s concern should be of concern for all Irish citizens, not just those in North Dublin.

“As minister for health, the minister has a responsibility ensure the health of all citizens of the country.”

Reilly’s letter contains evidence from a DCU public health expert, with Reilly saying that he was worried “as a doctor and Minister for Health” about an interconnector that was being built in Rush, County Dublin.

The Department of Health has previously said that the letter asked for ways in which Reilly’s concerns could be addressed, but Landy says that, in light of the letter, stock should be taken.

“It is a concern for us. But there is now a chance for Minister Pat Rabbitte to bring an up to date position to the Oireachtas. Nothing should be done for now.”

Landy said that there is huge worry in Tipperary over the potential impact of pylons being placed on land, particularly in the horse-breeding and horse-racing communities.

Read: Underground pylons will add 3% to electricity bills over the next 50 years, says Rabbitte

Read: ‘They were whipped into line’: Committee backs appointment of Eirgrid chairman

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Paul Hosford
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