Consultation

ESB say that this leaflet is the first step in communicating with the Public the need to construct this line. It has been passed out to people directly affected by the line and can be obtained by other members of the public from the ESB offices in Sligo. ESB have already given presentations to representatives from Roscommon, Sligo, the IFA, and the IDA. This has been ongoing since May. Engineers have been visiting landowners to discuss access rights since then.

ESB, along with many other organisations, say that they are engaging in consultation. It seems to be a new buzzword. It was mentioned by Mr O'Reilly on the tape. [Yet the decisions which affect all of us are still being made behind closed doors and, in some cases, away from the areas which will be directly affected.] Consultation implies having all the available information, considering it and then making the decision. It does not mean making the decision and forcing people to fall into line. Many people in Sligo were not aware of this line until 28th August.

It is wrong of Mr O'Reilly to say that the Board is meeting with groups on an ongoing basis. We met with them on 13th July and we were told what was going to happen. I remember at the last meeting that an IFA representative said that this line was 99% certain to go through. When we tried to ask about alternatives, they were not given any consideration. We have not heard from ESB since then.

Why is all of the information not available at the outset? Why is much of it being withheld or suppressed or indeed twisted? ESB do say that if 95% of the landowners are against the line, it will not proceed. Why not 90%, 80% or 51%. Governments have been elected with a much smaller percentage (38%) of the popular vote. They now say if the will of the people is against the line, then it will not proceed. How does one judge the will of the people?

Is it all landowners?
Is it our local Councillors?
Is it a referendum in the area?
Is it down to our Planning Authorities?
Do we judge from the number of protest letters received by our Councillors or Planners?