Omagh families and EirGrid legislation
Mattie McGrath asks whether promised meetings with the Omagh bomb families have occurred and raises forthcoming EirGrid legislation. The Tánaiste reports a brief meeting with a family representative, promises further engagement, and expects the EirGrid Bill next year.
I welcome the Tánaiste's commitments to a debate on the Smithwick tribunal. À propos of that whole situation, and tribunals and investigations under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill, the Omagh bomb families have been promised meetings with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence and the Taoiseach. Has the Minister or the Taoiseach met them as promised? There are serious issues around that area and independent inquiries.
I also raise the forthcoming EirGrid legislation. In view of yesterday's astounding revelations and appearance before a committee of Mr. John O'Connor, the chairman designate, will the Tánaiste give a commitment to me, to this House and to the public that the EirGrid legislation will deal with the cavalier attitude EirGrid officials have adopted of plundering the countryside, sending out false spin and PR, giving different answers to everybody and failing to engage with the people? Will the Government rein in EirGrid representatives? They need to be reined in. They think it is the wild west out there, and they are getting away with it.
We need this legislation brought forward immediately. We need details and submissions because they see how people got away with blackguarding in banking and all our crises in this country where regulations were not brought forward. They are carrying on in the same vein. They are self-appointed people, carried away with themselves and running amok through the countryside. If the Tánaiste cannot see that, maybe the Government should have a reshuffle sooner rather than later.
Comment on this
We will take the Deputy's leader's allowance.
Comment on this
The question is who is next in line to defect from the Government side.
