Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government includes an entire section on the rights of local communities when energy pylons are to be imposed on them, yet the terms of reference for the independent review of the North-South interconnector published on Monday do not include any reference, as per the Fianna Fáil Party motion adopted by all sides, to the devaluation of property or land in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, the impact on tourism and health or a realistic study being done on this issue. The North East Pylon Pressure Group contacted me this morning and issued a statement on what it describes the "terms of preference" as an "irresponsible charade". Does the Cabinet stand over this charade? Can the section in respect of the impact on landscape, tourism and health be included in the terms of reference?

See this speech in context