John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes, of course.

These are the points to make and if one breaks down the arguments into the aforementioned three questions, the question is, what should we do? Should we have overground or underground cables? The Minister has appointed the former judge Catherine McGuinness to adjudicate on the terms of reference, which are the most important part of any argument. One could have narrow terms of reference, as perhaps did EirGrid in the past, or one could have objectively set terms of reference for the project, and Ms McGuinness will do that. EirGrid will make proposals to her that she will examine, after which she will state objectively whether these terms of reference are sufficiently wide. I note that in the opening remarks to his contribution my colleague and friend Senator Byrne stated that one could not trust the Government, the Minister, EirGrid or An Bord Pleanála, and one now could not trust the former judge Catherine McGuinness, but one could trust Fianna Fáil. That is the argument Senator Byrne and Fianna Fáil wish people could sustain. I cannot sustain that argument because people did trust Fianna Fáil in the course of three elections and now look at where we are. Senator Byrne may reflect on this and perhaps Fianna Fáil might acknowledge there are some other agendas at stake here that might not be in the national interest.

When Fianna Fáil is in government its members are good Senators and Deputies. When it is in opposition they are good councillors. I do not want to start scoring points but we need honesty in this debate. Let us consider the issue objectively to decide the best way to proceed while keeping the national interest foremost in our minds.