Mr. John McCusker:

The Deputy asked how many young families would be affected by overhead lines, and that would extend to homes, valuations, mortgages and the negative equity experienced by people. These questions have been put to EirGrid but it has not come back with any answers. Perhaps it is unwilling to do the study or perhaps it knows the answer but does not want to tell us. We do not know, although we have asked the question. That is one simple issue that everybody knows about, and it is not a magic or scientific matter that needs a large committee discussion. It is one of a number of items we have identified that must be undertaken by EirGrid or perhaps another authority, which could do a cost-benefit analysis. Perhaps EirGrid does not have competence in this matter and that is why it has not been done. Perhaps the committee needs to inquire about that, and if EirGrid does not have competence in this regard, another authority should do it.