Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

EirGrid has admitted that it is feasible from a technical and engineering point of view. It is possible to do it. It had previously bandied about costs that were 30, 20 and three times the overground cost. It is now down to 1.57 times that cost. We should bear in mind the importance of the project and the impact it will have on the people of Meath, Monaghan and Cavan. I realise the project is now before An Bord Pleanála and I do not expect the Minister to comment on the planning issue, but surely to God decisions must be taken at this juncture.

It is incorrect to put the cables overground and correct to put them underground. Surely to God the Government, or a government, is elected to make the correct decisions. What is occurring is almost like building a three-storey monstrosity where a single storey would do.

The proper approach is to put the cables underground. It is wrong to proceed to planning and put the cables overground. They need to be put underground. The Government needs to consider the facts and, having got the advice from the experts, say it is possible to do this and that it is the right thing to do.

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