Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I am glad the Minister is here as it demonstrates he is at least open to debate on this subject. I have some quick comments because we are very short on time.

I will not enter the health debate in this matter as we will have it another day. People have serious health concerns about this project nonetheless. Neither the Government, EirGrid nor anybody else can guarantee everybody will be safe with these lines. Conversely, nobody can say that lives are in danger, as neither side can provide proof. I cannot point to a child anywhere in the world who died because of magnetic fields, although there are reports that raise serious doubts. EirGrid cannot state that the power lines are safe either. We owe it to the people to check every possibility before we spend taxpayers' money putting this line over their heads.

A person speaking on radio recently implied that he advised the Italian Government years ago that it was okay for four or five children to die over a 20 or 30-year period. That person claimed to be speaking in regard to EirGrid and should be sacked on the spot for saying such things. It is not acceptable.

All we are asking is that the Minister should check the matter. It is possible, using modern technology, to go underground. Private companies have built such lines underground very cheaply in Estonia, South America and Australia. I accept that companies such as EirGrid across the world do not want to take the option of going underground. They do not want to even consider it, for whatever reason. These companies should be forced to consider the option so we can have a proper debate.

EirGrid's claim that it will cost ten times as much to put the line underground is an untruth. The company does not know what that would cost, so it cannot make such a claim. For EirGrid to stand in front of the people of Meath and argue it is not possible to go underground is also a lie. It is not good enough that a State company is telling mistruths when the issue involves people's health and their community.

EirGrid is an arm of Government, so this Government — including the Minister and his Department — has a duty to check out the issues, including new technology and proper costs. We should have a real discussion on the matter. I have spoken to representatives of companies who can put this line underground for nearly the same price. That is not five times or ten times the estimated cost. We should at least consider such options. If the project went to tender, companies would offer to put the line underground for a cheaper price than EirGrid's estimate for over the ground. The Minister should at least consider these options.

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