The Chairman-Designate of Eirgrid says he will reconsider his position. John O'Connor has come under fire from TDs across the political divide at an Oireachtas committee today.

Earlier Mr. O'Connor said he would not live beside an electricity pylon, asking Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan "who would?".

Fianna Fáil says they will not support his nomination, while Fine Gael TD Paudie Coffey says he questions his judgement in the past and now.

John O'Connor says he will discuss his acceptance of the chairmanship with the Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte.

Earlier he pledged to work with communities over the issue of pylons.

John O'Connor formerly worked for An Bord Pleanala, but he has insisted his role with the electricity transmission organisation is not a conflict of interest.

However, Fianna Fáil says because of possible conflicts, they will not support his nomination to the position of Chairman.