Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not suggesting that the Minister should do anything. I am demanding that he, as the Minister responsible for agriculture with his colleague, stand up and protect rural Ireland and farmers from something that will have consequences for generations. The Minister did not mention Food Harvest 2020, but we in south Tipperary and the Golden Vale play a major part in that. It must be defended. I demand that the Minister step up to the plate as the line Minister, with the Minister of State, who I wish no ill, and tell EirGrid that these lines can go around. The Minister knows this better than anyone. He is a man who likes a bit of sailing. In our case - it is not much good for the rest of the country - they could easily go around the seashore to Wexford from Cork, where they start. They cannot in other cases. However, EirGrid does not want to do this. It can be and has been done elsewhere. I do not want the Minister to become a spokesperson for EirGrid. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is its mouthpiece. Unfortunately, he will not answer questions in the Dáil, but he will go on every airwave, including "Morning Ireland" this morning, to rubbish them. Every Government Member opposed the north-south line while in opposition and promised that, when they got into government, they would shred that plan and put everything underground or else nothing would happen.

See this speech in context