Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

Ostensibly, we are all on the same side in respect of this matter. However, there is a problem with regard to implementation. The Minister referred to instances where planning is not granted and everyone accepts this can happen. Is he aware of the position with regard to cases where planning permission in respect of projects is running out? I refer, for example, to a project to construct a large wind farm at Bellacorick, County Mayo, with which Bord na Móna and the ESB are both involved, which cannot proceed because of difficulties relating to grid development. That is a matter of which the Minister should take charge. If the different agencies are not working together to ensure that needs are met, the need for urgency to which the Minister refers is not getting through. Will the Minister comment on this matter?

When will timelines outlining the different elements of the grid development plan prepared by EirGrid be forthcoming? The Minister called on the Opposition to support grid development. I presume he is referring to the North-South interconnector in this regard. Will the Minister indicate what is the level of support for grid development on the Government side? The Government tends to hide behind agencies such as An Bord Pleanála and local authorities when it comes to difficult issues.

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