Electricity and energy bills will increase if controversial Eirgrid power lines have to be routed underground, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has said.

Mr Rabbitte has backed a €500 million overground power line linking Leinster and Munster, which has caused anger in many rural constituencies.

Speaking at the Labour Party National Conference in Killarney, Mr Rabbitte said putting the lines underground - which many campaign groups are calling for - will be more expensive and will lead lead to higher energy bills.

"If it were decided to put any part of the transmission underground, it has implications for the ESB bills, the electricity bills and energy bills of consumers," Mr Rabbitte said.

“It will put up the cost of energy if a more expensive system of implementation is chosen and that is something as well the public and the consumers have to consider.”