Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleague Deputy Shane McEntee for allowing me part of his time to speak on this extremely important issue. As one who was involved in debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, I am disappointed that no consultation took place between the north-east pylon pressure group and the Minister before the consultancy group was announced.

The campaign group is a very reasonable and pragmatic collection of people who are genuinely concerned about their futures and the futures of their family members, who will have to live near or adjacent to the proposed line through counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan into Northern Ireland as a cross-Border interconnector.

I understood that independent consultants that had no previous involvement with EirGrid would be appointed, however it seems that the very company appointed by the Minister has had clear involvement in the recent study carried out on behalf of the Government, the all-island grid study. This is the very study that recommended more than 600 km of high grid power lines. They have already decided that the lines should go over ground. It would seem at this stage, if these are the facts, that there would clearly be a conflict of interest. It is very difficult to understand how a company such as this could in 40 days deal with all the submissions supplied to it, never mind carry out a detailed study of what it would actually cost to put the cable underground.

Even at this late stage I call on the Minister, together with his officials, to meet the people representing the owners of the land and property in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath before this study goes ahead. Clearly if this is not done other studies will be carried out, legal cases will ensue and the much needed cross-Border link will be delayed.

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, made a breakthrough when he said he would introduce an independent study. It is now up to him to meet the people concerned in the north-east pylon pressure group and EirGrid and find an amicable solution. I urge the Minister to deal with this matter in the manner he dealt with us in the committee. I believe he can find a reasonable solution but this approach will not solve the problem.

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