Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Forty days would not allow us to stay within the April-May timeframe I am setting out. One of the options we wanted to preserve was for the consultants to come to the committee and present the analysis as set out. That would be appropriate and would allow the committee to ask relevant questions with regard to the findings of the study once it is completed. As to what happens after that, I do not want to pre-empt the outcome of the study. Everyone has an interest in developing the infrastructure in the speediest manner possible because, to go back to Deputy Coveney's previous question, there is a major issue in terms of the development of our electricity system, particularly in the north east, where the electricity infrastructure is limiting further economic development. No one is looking for unnecessary delays in the process. It will be up to EirGrid, as well as ourselves, to consider the study and its recommendations and incorporate them into its plans. I do not want to pre-empt what the consultants might say.

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