John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

How influential will the public consultation be, for instance, if, in the case of Grid West, the overwhelming traction, if one likes, is in favour of upgrading the 220 kV lines and undergrounding 30 km of the route to avoid schools and other pressure points? My perception of consultation, and I am sure members from the north east and elsewhere will have views on the matter, is that people believe decisions were taken before the consultation took place. Why was consultation not allowed in advance of decisions being taken?