Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that the Minister attended to answer these questions. I tabled questions to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, but they were ruled out of order because he claimed that he had no responsibility for EirGrid. He can appear on every radio show, including the local station of the Minister of State and me yesterday, as its spokesperson, but he will not answer to the House. Accountability is gone out the window. The Government complained about this when it was in opposition.

The Minister of State and many of his colleagues were bussed down to Coolmore Stud some time ago, but I have deliberately not mentioned the equine industry or the massive effect that overhead cables will have on it. It is large enough to fight for itself. I am sure that the busload of backbenchers who travelled with the Minister of State will be able to fight for it. I am representing the ordinary people. EirGrid has stated that it would prefer cereals to be grown under these cables, not livestock.

The Minister knows the importance of agriculture. His duty is to spend the money that Deputy Ó Cuív claimed he did not spend. However, his duty seems to be to claim that this is not his responsibility, but that of the other Minister, Deputy Rabbitte. He referred to energy security. I accept that is important, but we cannot devastate the rich farmlands of south Tipperary and we cannot allow big business to plunder south Tipperary. We kept Cromwell out of south Tipperary and we will keep EirGrid out as well. If the Minister will not do it, we will have to do it ourselves. The Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, will unfortunately not do it, but the Minister should.

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