Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have seen tonight that this is a very emotive issue. We have heard how many people are very upset and angry and they want to know where things are going and what is happening. We cannot blame those people as the issue is very contentious; we are wondering if the lines should be put overhead or underground and if it is feasible for the lines to go underground. We are also asking what is the cost for both options. There are also the splinter issues stemming from the main issue, including health, community gain, visual impact, tourism and heritage, as well as property value. All these questions must be answered. As Deputy O'Mahony has stated, although many issues have been raised, there have not been many answers. That is why we have seen panic, confusion and anger throughout the country, and there is a vacuum and a lack of information.

The expansion and upkeep of our grid is very important. EirGrid is in charge of that and it has an extremely important job but it should be careful in how it does it. There is much talk about keeping the lights on, which is fine.

It is not too long ago that we were told in Meath that if the North-South interconnector was not completed by 2012 the lights would go out. We are not in darkness now. I do not know whether that is due to the downturn in the economy of the fact that we do not need as much energy. Either way, we do not need to become hysterical and we do not need to exaggerate. That goes for both sides of the argument. EirGrid has an important job but public representatives have an equally important job, namely, to represent those who elected us. Currently, a significant number of people are not happy with the manner in which EirGrid has rolled out the project. Lack of public acceptance is the one factor that could delay a project of this size. One of the main reasons for the lack of acceptance is the lack of public consultation and the inability to take on board the views of people on the ground.

Earlier today, EirGrid came before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Its representatives spoke about the importance of the public consultation process and how they give everybody involved a chance to have their say. They said the process is ongoing and that every matter raised would be addressed. I can only speak for those connected to the North-South interconnector and those in Meath and possibly Cavan and Monaghan but the consultation process has come and gone and the issues raised were not addressed. Years of hard work were invested by many people and hundreds of thousands of euro were spent by the same people but undergrounding was not properly addressed. It is the single biggest problem faced by EirGrid in the roll out of the GridLink project and it was not publicly addressed by EirGrid. I find that incredible. The issue must be addressed. The situation has been ongoing in Meath for six years. Sometimes when an issue does not relate to one’s back garden, one does not pay any heed but now the issue affects everyone’s back garden and it is being raised much more. The Minister accepts the need to address the concerns brought to him by Members. I am not an expert in health, property valuation, the environment or how much a project would cost. My purpose is to raise the issue. I am delighted to contribute to the debate.

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