Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Like Deputy Johnny Brady, I am glad to speak on this issue. In the last review of constituencies when I became a candidate, Deputy Brady had to hand over several lovely areas such as Moynalty, Carlanstown, Nobber, Gibbstown, Kilmainhamwood, Oristown and Meath Hill. There is genuine fear in those communities with regard to EirGrid's proposals.

While this is a technical, enabling Bill, I am glad the Minister recognised the public concerns in his speech. He referred to the complexity of the task facing EirGrid. Would it be possible to make even slight amendments to the Bill in terms of what EirGrid may be required to do when it proposes projects above and beyond what is contained in the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act? When EirGrid comes to the town, there is never a show like it. Chaos reigns and people fear, as we have seen time and again. An extra level of consultation should be required specifically for EirGrid. There is nothing else like it.

I have been to meetings attended by almost the entire population of parishes, which I am sure has also been the experience in other counties. There are massive concerns, including with regard to health. One can read all the WHO studies one likes, but when one visits communities where there are already pockets of cancer, it is impossible to argue there is no health risk, particularly as many studies recognise this risk, as pointed out by Deputy Brady.

The people of County Meath are very concerned about the visual impact given our tourism potential and the innate beauty of the county and the wildlife. I am conscious that Gibbstown is a Gaeltacht area. It is a great community but there is much fear about the impact on the culture and heritage of the area.

Planning permission is one of the biggest issues for families in rural Ireland at present, particularly for those working in agriculture. There will be many restrictions in the north east if this project goes ahead. The right of people to live on their own land and contribute to their communities will be put in serious jeopardy.

The Minister gladly took on board the huge public concern. He made a wise decision to commission a study because there are arguments for and against the proposal. While EirGrid put up a very strong argument that the cost of its plans is low, what price our health, environment and heritage? I have met people who claim the lines could be put underground for a fraction of the cost and in a simple way. What the Minister has done with the independent study is very welcome, as is its short time frame. We look forward to the findings and hope the study will provide what we consider to be the right answer, which is to put the lines underground.

To do that would have major implications throughout the country. There are already many 400 kV lines. If, as we hope, the lines go underground in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, then lines elsewhere would also have to be considered, and future projects would have to be undertaken along the lines of the findings of this report.

The Government is often accused of not planning developments but it cannot be accused of not planning for future energy needs. Interconnectors are part of this process and the people of Meath accept this. They are always happy to see progress, for example, with regard to the M3. The M3 is a balance between the needs of our people and protecting our heritage but EirGrid's proposals for County Meath are significantly unbalanced and balanced against the ordinary man and women in the lane and road — we do not have many streets in north Meath.

The Government is focused on planning, as it must be because energy is a key requirement and the country must be kept alight. We can see the result of the Israeli blockade in the Holy Land, where the UN is running out of fuel and may have to stop operations. That is a particular case concerning energy supply. We must look after this country for the decades and generations to come. The people will support the Government in this regard and will welcome anything which helps them to plan their daily lives and businesses better. However, they demand that the lines be put underground. I will give them every support I can.

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