Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all want to see infrastructural improvements. The North-South interconnector is very important infrastructure. However, the issue is whether the power should be carried by huge pylons or underground, as is the practice is other states. I would have thought that an issue as important as this and which has been raised by Deputies from all parties and by me, should have been discussed in this Chamber. I would have thought the Minister would have made the announcement in the House and we could have discussed it. However, time and again - it is probably the same for Fine Gael and Labour Party Deputies - we have to chase what is in the media to find out the Government's thinking on issues. Then we have to try to decipher the opaque, obscure answers the Taoiseach gives to our questions.

I will repeat my questions to the Taoiseach. Did he give a personal commitment, as Deputy Conlan claims, that the North-South interconnector will be part of this review? Tá or Níl? Is an examination of the potential health implications of over ground pylons excluded? I understand precisely what the Taoiseach said and he does not need to repeat it. Are the health implications contained in the terms of reference of the independent panel? Given what the Taoiseach acknowledges as concerns, why is there no health expert on the panel? Is the Taoiseach going to ignore the groundswell of opposition from people living in communities which will be diversely and adversely affected by this development?

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