Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With respect, Mr. O'Connor was the chairman of An Bord Pleanála for 11 years and, as I acknowledged, he is a highly skilled, professional individual. However, a final point must be made. Mr. O'Connor said he has unique regard for the protection of our heritage and the environment. The fact is that, as chairman of EirGrid, under company law Mr. O'Connor's fiduciary duty is to the company. When it comes to the profit and loss of that entity, company law dictates in absolute terms Mr. O'Connor's requirement to protect the financial interests of the company. While on a personal basis Mr. O'Connor might have a view that the erection of a series of pylons impacts too negatively on the environment and he might not like that on an altruistic level, his fiduciary duty under company law requires him to look at what is in the best financial interests of EirGrid. I find it difficult that he used that as a ruse to satisfy us. I return again to the first question. It appears rather strange to me, many of my colleagues and many community groups that Mr. O'Connor's appointment is made at a time when EirGrid faces dealing with An Bord Pleanála in a very protracted and detailed way. Mr. O'Connor has not said anything today that will mollify the concerns and fears of community groups throughout the country, who see themselves fighting a battle against a large aggressor.