That concludes our business for today. We will adjourn until Tuesday, 29 January 2008 when we will discuss the recently launched all-island electricity grid with the Minister or at least his officials.
Business of Joint Committee.
On a related matter, may I briefly raise the development of the grid, what is currently happening in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and EirGrid's handling of whether that piece of infrastructure should go underground or over ground? There are significant political consequences. I want the committee to address that issue and invite representatives from EirGrid to discuss the matter.
It is my intention to address it. Representatives from EirGrid are to attend a meeting of the committee on 6 February to discuss that. The meeting will be dominated by the issue in Cavan, Meath and Monaghan, but perhaps there is a need for us to also look at bringing in an outsider, apart from EirGrid, who might advise us on that because EirGrid will be naturally biased in its view.
As a result we will have to get an independent consultant on board to advise us on the matter.
There has been a study on electromagnetic fields and the consequences of pylons. We will see. I think we need some outside help on that anyway.
The joint committee adjourned at 4.45 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 January 2008.