Concerns over pylon issue must be addressed

As the State prepares to wave goodbye to the troika, many of us citizens are experiencing a slightly schizophrenic sensation: we welcome the return of relative economic sovereignty, but at the same time we might regret the fact that not even the troika was able to dislodge the perception that there exists a real disconnect between the Irish people and some of the more exalted elements of our state and semi-state apparatus.

Whether it’s using the proceeds of a hospital tuck shop to ‘top-up’ an already very generous remuneration package, or run up eye-watering legal bills to try and force through non-existent rights-of-way on private property, we see a stunning level of what looks very like arrogance and condescension.

A perfect illustration of this patronising attitude is the Eirgrid pylon controversy. What infuriates people most is the very real sense that as far as Eirgrid — and to a lesser extent, the State — is concerned, that the matter has been settled and that us poor culchies are just going to have to deal with a decision already made.