Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, unfortunately, the Minister's reply is most disappointing. In the week following the passing of the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion on the North-South interconnector, I asked An Taoiseach and the Minister what actions would be initiated by the Government on foot of the motion. Unfortunately, the only definitive response the Minister gave us was that construction would commence in 2018.

The Minister referred to the report of An Bord Pleanála. I do not think any member of the Government should quote from such a report because it rubbished the contribution of Members of the Oireachtas, including Ministers who participated in the oral hearing. All of the Oireachtas Members from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath participated in the oral hearing but it is as if we were not even there.

We had a good meeting with the Minister when he met representative organisations from Monaghan, Meath and Cavan. He referred earlier in response to Deputy Dooley that the Department would finalise the terms of reference on the very narrow and restrictive report that will be initiated following the passing of the Fianna Fáil motion. The Minister promised on the morning of the meeting that he would have further consultation both at official level and political level with the organisations representing communities in the three counties. Could he give me a firm assurance that before the terms of reference are finalised he will meet a small representative group from the organisations that have been actively campaigning in order that they can outline the strong views, concerns and worries of communities in the three counties?

The Minister referred previously to his contribution in getting various issues included in the programme for Government, which we all welcome. There is a specific commitment in the programme for Government to better engagement by Government in the advancement of energy policy, with specific reference to the provision and development of energy infrastructure.

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