Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply and for undertaking to do this study, which is a brave move. It is a pity the previous Minister did not do this before the tender went out. However, it is an important decision by the Minister and a sign of democracy in action.

I understand the Minister cannot give us the name of the company that will carry out the study. I am happy the Minister will make sure it is independent and that there is no conflict of interest. Is the deadline for completion of the project 40 working days or 40 days? There is a lot of concern on our side that it is a very short time. If the company that receives the contract asks for more time halfway through its research, will it receive more time? In the 14 days the Minister has allowed for the report to be signed off after completion, will the report come to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for discussion? Will the committee have a say on that?

Under the terms of reference the company will be asked to investigate current practice in various countries. I have written to the consultants on this issue also. Can the Minister ensure the company will find out why the authorities in certain countries have decided to adopt regulations with regard to the distance between homes and power lines? Whose advice did they take? That is a point on which we are a bit confused. If the report comes back with recommendations that it is economically viable to put the lines underground, what will happen then? Is the Minister prepared to issue instructions to EirGrid to change the way in which it has been going about its business? The feedback we are getting from EirGrid unofficially is that it is not willing to budge. Those at EirGrid do not think there will be a change. The Minister's answer to this question will tell us whether the process is useful and will work.

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