John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. Slye. Before we begin, I have been told mobile phones are interfering with the online coverage of the meeting. I ask people to move their phones away from the microphones.

We will move on to the next stage. Many Members who are not members of the committee are present, as they want to ask questions. I want to give everyone a fair run. During yesterday's debate with the chairman designate, we limited contributions to five minutes but some took 12. I propose that the leading member of each group or party ask his or her questions in just four minutes. I also ask the officials to give direct answers. We must complete the meeting by 12.30 p.m., when we must leave the room. As I must also ask questions, I intend to stick to the same rules. I ask everyone to be patient in the interests of allowing people to ask their questions.

I welcome Mr. Slye's presentation. I also welcome EirGrid's extension of the consultation period to 7 January to allow for the receipt of submissions following a request from the committee. Mr. Slye mentioned the word "consultation" many times in his submission. What is his view of the fact that, as public representatives, the widespread feedback we are receiving is that there has not been meaningful consultation? In my constituency of County Mayo, I am acutely aware that questions are not being answered or that different answers are coming from different officials. The N26 proposal was turned down because of damage to the environment and its effect on Whooper swans, yet a grid line will run through the exact same area.

There is no meaningful response. As regards the North-South interconnector, there was no consultation with the people of Meath of the type currently being held with other areas. While a decision was taken in 2006 to proceed with this project, the people were not made aware of it until October 2008. The feedback we are getting is that some of the information provided in the booklets supplied to the committee this morning is at minimum confusing and at maximum misleading. For example, it states in regard to the magnetic field that the overground 400 kV lines should be erected 30 meters from where people are living but underground cables are located directly below where people are living. The feeling is that this is not comparing like with like.

I would welcome the witnesses view on the need for independent information. In my view, independent information and a cost-benefit analysis on the underground proposal would be of assistance to all the stakeholders, including EirGrid, the communities and Government. It would provide information on which a decision could be based, which it is not possible to do at this point. I would also welcome the witnesses view on the statement yesterday by the chairperson designate that he would not like to live beside a pylon. Would any of the witnesses like to live beside one?