Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

EirGrid keeps saying it is going overground and it refuses to provide a proper costing. Fine Gael wants a proper costing undertaken to ensure people know what is happening. It appeared in a newspaper six weeks ago that they are going to ride roughshod over County Meath, but it is unacceptable and will not happen. Members of the 23 different committees will not accept what happened in Shannon or in some Departments lately. They are a united bunch and the issue of the cable must be addressed in a proper fashion. People must be given the rights and wrongs of the matter. This morning, Fianna Fáil's deputy leader said it was too dear but money should not come into it if there are questions about public health. I hope the Government will clarify who is in charge and what Fianna Fáil is doing. What is Fianna Fáil at this stage?

Everyone, and young people in particular, are keen for Ireland to play its part in reducing global warming. Fine Gael will support whatever must be done in that regard. I did not intend to become involved in an argument with the Minister over EirGrid but I ask him to take a keen interest in the matter because it will land on the steps of the Dáil within the next month or six weeks. Nobody should underestimate what the people of Meath will do to ensure this does not happen.

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