Mr. John O'Connor:

Deputy Harrington asked about consultation. In a way, he answered the question himself and I agree with his answer. Consultation must be meaningful. It involves listening to people, showing that one is listening to people, responding to people and dealing with the points they raise. That is what I understand consultation to be and what I think it should be. I am disappointed to hear comments here that this does not seem to be the perception. If I take up this position, it is something I will certainly be following up on. There is no doubt there are lessons to be learned. Obviously, there is fair consensus on this issue here today, and some of it certainly cannot be ignored.

The Deputy raised the issue of technology. As far as I can gather, this is very much on the agenda of EirGrid. It is fair to say it is very technologically advanced and it is fully up to speed with cutting-edge technology and so forth, and how technology can impact on the projects it develops. Part of its commitment is that, at each stage of these projects, there will be a review on the basis of the current up-to-date information. That information could relate to technology, to need or to other issues that are evolving. As far as I am concerned, the projects are there and were put into Grid25, but at each stage, as we go along, they have to be reviewed and decisions have to be continued on the basis of the most up-to-date information, including in regard to technology.

The Deputy raised issues in regard to relationships I might have with a senior official in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Did I pick him up right on that?