Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In 2007, EirGrid estimated that to put the cables underground would cost up to 25 times more than putting them underground, but by 2009, it had changed that to seven times the cost. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, said recently that it is imperative for State companies and developers of energy projects to have an early, transparent engagement with local communities and stakeholders. I welcome that statement. EirGrid management confirmed to our party, as late as yesterday, that the consultation process deals only with the issues of routes, corridors and direction, not underground versus overhead. This is a key flaw in the planning process. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments that he is willing to think about things in the long term. We have had enough problems in recent decades caused by short-term thinking and we are still tidying up after that.

There is a major flaw in the planning consultation programme process if it is not prepared to consider the issue of the viability and long-term cost of underground versus overhead. We want to deal with this properly because it involves billions of euro of taxpayers' money. Will the Government commit to having EirGrid correct this and ensure all options are considered as part of the consultation and planning process? The Tánaiste should send out that signal.

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