Mr. P.J. O'Hanlon:

In regard to broadband, whatever about working together, we have had a plan here for many years and I do not know where it is going. There are parts of Monaghan which do not have broadband and the way things are going, without being disrespectful, the can is being kicked down the road with regard to the introduction of broadband. It is an issue for Government when it is going to deliver on that. From the perspective of local councillors in the east Border region who are trying to help the situation, there are people in these Houses dealing with this issue and we have had resignations and people coming and going in this context. The Government needs to get its act sorted out in regard to broadband. That is why it is here. While I do not mean to be disrespectful, I do not think it has been very successful.

With regard to the interconnector, nobody in County Monaghan is stopping the interconnector. Let us be clear about that. There is this perception that we are holding it up. Instead, we are looking for the interconnector to go underground. We were told, when this came out a number of years ago, that it was going to cost 40 times more to put it underground than overground, when I have been told it will cost twice as much. As a group in Monaghan County Council, we are 18 councillors from all political persuasions and groups. We do not always agree but we steadfastly stand together in regard to the interconnector. We are not stopping development and we are not saying we do not want an interconnector. However, the people of County Monaghan, including the landowners, deserve better and they have not been given the respect they deserve on this issue. We, as political groupings, stand together with those people, not because it is political but because it is the right thing to do for our county. There is not a word about Grid West. It is gone by the wayside and I wonder why. We all know why. What I am saying is that the group of 18 councillors have no issue with an interconnector but we want it underground. The people who are looking to do this, and I might as well say it while I am here, made a planning application 12 to 18 months ago that cost the taxpayer €7 million and it had to be withdrawn. There is no accountability. Nobody is talking or dealing with the people on the ground.

Let us think about it. This unites Sinn Féin, Independent, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors. It does not happen too often and it certainly does not happen in this building, but we are united in regard to defending our own county, and we will always do that. Let us be clear. We have no issue with the interconnector but we have an issue with overground. That is what the people of County Monaghan want and that is what we are elected to do. While we are there, we will continue to do that.