Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I can certainly assure the Deputy that the integrity of the process is being maintained by the expert panel under the chairmanship of the retired Honourable Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness and that it is taking its responsibilities very seriously. Otherwise, it would have opined before now.

I take the point that there must be optimum co-operation between my Department and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of the non-ionising radiation fear. This must draw on expert evidence that is absolutely up to date in this area.

By contrast with Grid Link or Grid West, there is an immediate urgency about the North-South dimension in the context of an all-island electricity market and Northern Ireland's security of supply. It is a very small piece of interconnection infrastructure but it is of significant strategic importance. It extends for only 40 km approximately and runs from Meath to Tyrone. Its significance cannot be overstated. I cannot say anything further until I hear what former Supreme Court justice, Mrs. Catherine McGuinness has to say on the matter on behalf of her panel, but whatever she has to say will not detract from the fact of life that the infrastructure is urgent.

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