Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the recent decision by An Taoiseach that there be a review of the North-South interconnector. I thank all the local authority members in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath for their efforts in trying to secure that review. I thank also the Cathaoirleach and other Members for their efforts to secure it. Following that decision, EirGrid announced its intention to place underground the Meath to Kildare line, which is approximately 50 km to 60 km in length, which we very much welcome. However, as Members can imagine, the communities of counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath are asking why the North-South interconnector is not being placed underground as well.They have consistently made that point for more than a decade, resulting in this project being delayed. EirGrid to date has stubbornly refused to accept the community's wishes. It is interesting that EirGrid has discovered with advancing technologies, something we have always talked about, that it is now possible to install this cable in a narrower trench than heretofore assumed, resulting in a much speedier construction period for this project. However, EirGrid insists that the North-South interconnector is going overhead, full stop. From what I am hearing from the community, as I am sure the Leader is, the people of the affected areas are annoyed, angered and feel they are being discriminated against because all major projects of this nature have been put underground except this one. The insistence of EirGrid that this project would be overhead has resulted in a delay of more than a decade. Judging by the feeling on the ground this past week or ten days, it will be many decades to come before this project ever goes ahead if EirGrid insists on it going overhead.

Will the Minister come into the House at the first available opportunity to discuss this issue? We must insist, as we have done from the get-go, that the advances in technology must be fed into any review that takes place. Otherwise, that review is not worth going ahead with. It is important we get that commitment from the Minister.