Mr. Peter Walsh:

For us, for example, regarding the cables in the road element, a forum has been set up under an experienced person who was selected by ESB and EirGrid but accepted by ourselves as being somebody who understood what was required in terms of the construction of the new grid. We are very happy that this is bringing a fair assessment of where the problems are and how we would address them. This example could be used elsewhere.

What happened originally was that we were trying to engage in a consultation. In fairness to EirGrid, it was concerned about getting its planning approval and did not want to compromise what it felt was the line of least resistance or the one that was going to give it success in this endeavour. This approach involved putting the cable down a national road. Now, where we began to see some development and progress was an acceptance that to do this, there was a need to develop a detailed design and to work out exactly where these are going to be put. These are not small things. Every 750 m there is a box that is 2.5 m wide, 6 m long and 2.5 m deep. It is a big thing and it is going to have a significant impact on the road and the travelling public. It is necessary, therefore, to work out the detail of that in respect of how it will be possible to pass all the structures, maintain all the watercourses and ensure there will not be an impact on streams and rivers and structures that will be passed.

This has been worked through for the north Connacht interconnector. Work has also been done on the interconnector on the N25 in County Cork. This is a very important project for the country. We fully recognise this fact. We have been working with Cork County Council and EirGrid's contractor. We need to communicate jointly the understanding of the level of impact and disruption this project is going to cause for the 20,000 vehicles a day that use the N25 through there. Deputy O'Connor will be very familiar with this because it is passing by Castlemartyr and Killeagh. We must ensure we minimise the impact on the public, keep the road functioning and deliver.

What I am saying is that when we get into the detail of something like this project, we can see that protocols can be developed. We will just have to deal with it. There will be a cost to the State. If the Department of Transport understands that, the Government can then decide who is going to fund it, whether it will be the project or the roads budget, but we need to deal with this situation. Otherwise, we will be standing off and the planning process could be paralysed in the process.