Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----a competent person? Is anybody suggesting that Professor Keith Bell from the engineering department of Strathclyde University is not internationally recognised as being a person of competence? As Deputy Calleary is well aware, the commission, which is chaired by Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, the eminent retired Supreme Court judge, will have the option of obtaining any expert advice it deems necessary.

The response provided by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources yesterday was very clear. In excess of 30,000 applications, comments and observations were made in respect of Grid Link and Grid West and the Minister appointed the commission to consider and deal with these. As he stated, it is vital, when considering an issue as important as this, that all of the relevant issues be dealt with in very clear terms. There is not an eminent medical person on the McGuinness commission but that is not to say that it is prevented from seeking the advice of medical experts on particular matters.

Last week, I pointed out to Deputy Healy or some other Member that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, wrote to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to relay the concerns expressed to him by people in his constituency. However, that correspondence related to the running of cables under a particular street in the town of Rush in close proximity to people's front doors. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, stated that people must be able to rest assured that the options they are being asked to consider are the right ones and that they are being given all the facts. That is why yesterday's response was in respect of the proposals received regarding Grid Link and Grid West.

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