Six hundred still without power in Cavan

Deputy Brendan Smith raises the issue of fallen trees causing outages in the Dáil

Around 600 customers across County Cavan remain without electricity this evening - almost two weeks after Storm Éowyn.

The figures are recorded on the ESB's PowerCheck website/app this evening. It is a marked improvement on the situation yesterday afternoon when, at one point, more than 2,200 properties were off the grid in the Breffni county.

The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil Deputy Brendan Smith in the Dáil today in questions put to the Taoiseach.

"Large numbers of my constituents in Cavan–Monaghan are still without their electricity supply. Most of those people have difficulties with their telephone and broadband connectivity. Life is extremely difficult for people with health ailments and dependent on medical devices," he told his party leader Micheál Martin.

"The major cause of the power outage in our area has been trees falling on ESB transmission lines. It is clear that the corridors for ESB lines are not being maintained to the proper standard.

"If they were, we would not have such problems with trees falling and with other overgrown vegetation. Over the years, through parliamentary questions, I have repeatedly asked that a vigorous inspection programme be put in place to ensure plantations owned by Coillte and private landowners are properly maintained," Deputy Smith stated in the Dáil.

"Very regrettably, this has not happened. These issues need to be addressed now. If a small-scale livestock farmer slightly erred in their farming practices, they would have inspections and penalties imposed. Why is it not the same for large-scale forestry plantation owners? I compliment the ESB workers and all the other front-line workers on their efforts," he concluded.

Responding, the Taoiseach said one of the most immediate tasks is to ensure "proper corridors" wherever the transmission lines are.

"West Roscommon and Leitrim have huge issues with forests falling, or whole lines of Sitka spruce falling like dominoes onto the line. That can no longer be tolerated," conceded Mr Martin.

The Ministers and Departments responsible have been asked to collaborate on the issue.

"[This is] to ensure we nail this once and for all to have clear space in order to prevent this type of thing from recurring. Then we need to go further by ensuring road safety and addressing further danger to power lines. When power lines come down, it is a huge health and safety issue for people," said the Taoiseach.

Yesterday, an ESB spokesperson told the Celt that they were working to restore all customers as soon as possible.

"We are working towards restoring the majority of these customers over the coming days however, in the areas with the largest number of faults some customers may see their estimated restoration times change, in some cases, into the weekend."

He further advised that some customers, who have had their power restored, may experience temporary outages to facilitate repairs/work on other parts of the grid.

Estimated restoration times will continue to be updated on the www.PowerCheck.ie website.