Farmers and ESB to discuss row over Bantry power lines

Farmers opposed to the erection of power-lines through their land in Co Cork are due to meet with the ESB today to discuss their concerns about the project.

The Bantry Concerned Action Group wants the cables to be put underground and claim the ESB will be breaching planning regulations if it presses ahead with its current plants.

The group, which is made up of 26 local farmers, has already offered to dig the trenches for underground cables if the ESB agrees to change the scheme.

Spokesman Quentin Gargan says the dispute has been ongoing for several years and the group is hoping the ESB will accept today that it is the norm in other European countries for power lines to go underground.