S. U. P.

Bury the lines before they bury you.

Dear

Flagford, Carrick on Shannon to Srananagh, East Sligo ESB 220kv Power line.

The ESB propose erecting yet another overhead power line on 123 feet high pylons in the countryside. We are embarking on a campaign to force a rethink on the continuing use of overhead power lines as a keystone of ESB transmission policy.

We have heard various rumours about European policy and the actions ofPower Companies in other EU Countries on the vexed question of overhead lines and pylons.

We would like to solicit your heip in establishing the veracity, or othenvise, ofthis European dimension. It is particularily rumoured that:

The EU Parliament will enact legislation within the next 2 to 3 years compeling all Power Companies within the EU to put all transmission cables underground.
France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and even the UK are embarking, or are well undenvay, in implementing such a policy.

You can see how such a policy, if true, could have a considerable bearing on ESB policy in Ireland. It is our vision that the West ofIreland has its own power sources, which are important for progress in the area, but which, are at the same time sympathetic to the rural landscape and the environment. Both these aspects are important to the future ofthe West

The ESB intend going to our local Councils for planning permission in September 2000, so a reply, if possible, within the next 3 weeks would be very helpful.

Thanking you in advance for any help that you can give us in this matter.

Yours Sincerely

RW Henry (Secretary)

PS Apoiogies. We are becoming organsised very quickly but at the time of writing we have yet to come up with a distinctive 'brand name'. Hence this unheaded letter.

Copied to ME Ps? Ms Dana Scallon Ms Nuala Ahern