Mr. John O'Connor:

Deputy McEntee raised the issue of health, which has been raised at all stages along the way with various projects and their consultation phases. It is a strongly debated issue and, as far as I understand it, the area has been well researched. There are clear EU and other international guidelines to which EirGrid is adhering by some margin. The matter has been raised and will be raised again in the planning application for the North-South interconnector. It will have to be answered to the satisfaction of An Bord Pleanála in the planning application. It is a matter of how EirGrid can give the necessary assurance to people that there are no health implications. EirGrid is a public company and could not possibly put itself in a position where it was affecting public health if there was any risk of that nature. This will certainly have to be dealt with to ease people's fears.