Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The principle that applies here is one that needs to apply across our transition to a zero-carbon economy. It is one of community engagement and consultation. It is not being applied here in the way it should be. It seems that the Government is determined to do this transition by megaphone diplomacy on the picket line or at the farm gate. It is already a major problem and that will continue to be the case unless the Government changes tack.

I got information from the Department yesterday that two leading Italian consultants in transmission grid infrastructure are now engaged on the review and that their work is well advanced. Could the Minister of State indicate when the work will be concluded and when the report will be published? At the same time, the CEO of EirGrid is telling us that the project is in execution mode. How can those two positions be accurate if the ongoing review is to have any real impact or relevance?

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