This article is from page 17 of the 2006-11-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A COMPROMISE has been reached between the two sides in the ongoing row over the siting of an ESB mast in Ennis.
But campaigners opposed to the ESB’s plans to erect a telecommunications mast in Clonroadmore could be hit with a heavy financial burden under the deal brokered.
Campaigners opposing plans by the ESB, have agreed to financially compensate the company for any costs resulting from legal proceedings should they be unsuccessful in their judicial review to overturn An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant planning permission.
In return the ESB have stated they will not proceed with construction work on the site until the outcome of the judicial review, which is currently waiting to be heard before the High Court.
The case is now expected to be heard in early 2007.
Lead campaigner Noel Mulhaire confirmed the group had agreed to pay costs.
“We have signed up the agreement that the ESB were looking for. In doing so we could be exposed to a massive financial cost”
As a result, a meeting between Senator Timmy Dooley and the Chairman of the ESB will now not go ahead.
However following last week’s well attended public meeting at the Eire Óg clubhouse, it is expected that a delegation of Clare’s Oireachtas members and local campaigners will meet with Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey.
At that public meeting, Mr Mulhaire called on elected representatives in attendance including Senator Timmy Dooley, Deputy James Breen, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF), to be more vocally supportive of the campaign.
“We are asking you to put aside your party political allegiances and fight for us and fight for your constituency. Failure is not an option, we have a constitutional right to live in safe homes”
Campaigner and health expert Michael O’Doherty said: “This mast would have huge health implications for our kids and they will never forgive us”
One mother of four said she was “viciously angry that the ESB were putting her children at risk”, while one resident criticised the perceived inaction of Clare’s junior ministers.