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

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentation, which gave us a guided tour of the situation. A total cost of €286 million was mentioned. The message the witnesses are sending is that it is a key project, which has been mentioned at the highest level in Europe and is seen as a massive piece of infrastructure for the integration of markets. The biggest issue with this project is how it is being constructed. EirGrid appeared before the committee a number of weeks ago and said it was technically possible to underground it. From what the witnesses have said, this is a vital piece of infrastructure for the whole of the island, which we must welcome because for a long time, we have been looking for a whole-of-Ireland approach to many issues.

This is a major piece of infrastructure but the biggest issue in this State, in particular for the people of Counties Monaghan and Meath, is the way in which it is being constructed. Surely, if it is of such vital importance for the island of Ireland and at a European level, it is high time EirGrid accepted the evidence it gave this committee a few weeks ago, namely, that it is technically possible to underground it. Given its importance, it should be built in the best possible way to ensure minimal objections.

In respect of the amount of energy that is in the system at the moment, both witnesses are saying the Republic of Ireland has excess supply.

Will wind energy, which is being developed right across the country, add further to the over-supply? I come from a farming background and in any sector of farming which is over-supplied, the first thing that happens is there is a massive reduction in the price to the consumer or the price given to the primary producer. If there is an over-supply in this regard, why do not we not see a direct reduction in prices to consumers, be they businesses or households, within the Irish State? If the witnesses would deal with those points, we can take it from there.