During today’s FMQs in the Assembly, Ynys Môn Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth asked the First Minister to urge National Grid to listen to the will of the people, following the unanimous vote in the Assembly last week, favouring undergrounding rather than pylons.

Speaking during First Minisgter’s Questions in the Senedd today, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM asked:

“Last Wednesday, the National Assembly for Wales made a very clear statement that it’s our democratically expressed wish in this place for the National Grid to seek alternative methods of making new electricity connections in Wales other than putting in place new pylons for any new developments here. That’s particularly pertinent to us in Ynys Môn, of course, where we face seeing a new line of pylons being erected over the next few years.

“Now, in light of the fact that this Assembly has demonstrated its democratic will a week ago, will the First Minister give a commitment to contact the National Grid again to put pressure on it and Ofgem to convince them that they should listen to the democratic voice of our National Assembly and reconsider their proposals after all? Every voice representing Ynys Môn apart from one UKIP regional member, and I include here myself as the Assembly, the MP, parish councils, town councils, and the county councils, have all expressed our opposition, the National Assembly has supported that, and we would want the support of the First Minister to urge Ofgem and the grid to listen.”

In his response, the First Minister said:

“I’m very happy again to tell the National Grid that that is the view of the Parliament of Wales and therefore is a view that they should take into detailed consideration.”