Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is entitled to report as he said he would on the issues before him. That formal Government memorandum concludes a particular section on non-ionising radiation, electromagnetic fields and health issues which are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The merger of two agencies will supply that information. The necessary information or expertise will be available to the McGuinness commission. The commission will require assistance in drawing up its terms of reference and how it applies.

I have had meetings with Deputies.

The public would be very reassured if they knew the overhead and the underground options were both fully investigated and if the already published studies in the case of the North-South interconnector are sufficient to enable a similar comparison to be made by An Bord Pleanála when it comes to deciding on the merits of the planning application. As I said, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is meeting the chairperson on Friday to discuss the programme of work. That programme of work by EirGrid includes Grid Link, Grid West and the already advanced work done on the North-South interconnector. I would like the commission's remit being extended to cover that, so that there is equality of assessment and fairness for people all over the country and that whatever the decision at the end of the day is, based on costs and all those other factors, people will clearly understand the nature of the decision to be made. We need all three of these as a critical piece of infrastructure in whatever way-----

See this speech in context