Compensation sought by farmers for power line
The farmers say the ESB has plans for the power line from Limerick County Council’s landfill dump at Gortnadromma, near Shanagolden, to Foynes.
Local farmer, Donal Danaher said land owners met officials of the ESB and made known their concerns about the power line and advised the ESB that they are seeking compensation. “Our contention is that this is a profit making commercial venture and the farmers who are affected by the line are entitled to be compensated”, he said.
“Why should farmers be required to provide the facility free of charge, with all of the inconveniences of ESB poles on their land, for others to make profits?” he said.
The National Council of IFA has already been asked by members in Co Limerick to seek a full review of terms and conditions for electricity network facilities provided by farmers. With farmers’ ESB bills rising fast, and new power lines expected from wind farms and other new power sources, farmers are becoming more aware of the inconvenience caused by power lines on their land. For most ESB poles and lines on their land, farmers get no compensation, and they point out that the allowance of €30 per annum for large poles carrying heavy lines has not been increased for years.
