Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the question to which the Chairman alluded. It seems that the company has done a U-turn with regard to the Grid West and the Grid Link south. When it is good enough for Grid West and Grid Link south, why is it not good enough for the people in the path of the North-South interconnector? There is significant disquiet in this regard. There is also significant scepticism with regard to the consultation process. As I stated, I think it was a decision made by the company to take the energy from one point to the other without any consultation with the people on its path and this has led to the almost stand-off situation at this stage. Is it fair and equitable for the company to drive on with the proposal on the North-South interconnector? The company has explained all the technical issues but the fundamental point is that this project will have a detrimental effect on the area in its path.

Over the past two and a half years there has been discussion in this committee and in the Dáil about the cost. The undergrounding of the project was going to be three times more expensive. In December 2013 the figure was bandied about that it would be six times the cost of the overgrounding. This report gives the figure as being 1.57 times the cost. Why is there such a variation in the figures? How come the figure of six times the cost has been reduced to 1.57 times the cost?

Where was the figure of six times the cost found? What is the cost of undergrounding the North-South interconnector? There is a fear among people on the path of the interconnector that, regardless of consultation with the communities, the offices opened or the engagement, the decisions have been made, the routes are planned and the plan will go ahead. Why will EirGrid not consider undergrounding the interconnector? What is the real rationale behind that decision? The information, technology, knowledge and issues around putting the entire North-South interconnector could be as wrong now as the figures were a year and a half ago.

The communities are very aggrieved and feel strongly that the consultation is a whitewash, is only ticking a box and will not make any real difference to the overall strategy that EirGrid will announce.