On the Taoiseach's party's website, I read the following line: “Fianna Fáil stands by its commitment that this project can only proceed on the basis that the lines are placed underground”. It is a line that was uttered by plenty of the Taoiseach's candidates in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath over the course of the most recent general election. I would like to ask him what is his position now, considering that the planning process was moved forward substantially when the minister from the Taoiseach's sister party in the North last night granted planning permission in that jurisdiction. The fundamental problem remains in place, which is that public acceptance simply is not there. Those of us who have followed this since 2007, a period in which the North-South interconnector has been met by delay after delay, recognise that the reason for those delays is the lack of public acceptance. Will the Taoiseach ensure his own party's pre-general election position is adhered to, and we fundamentally review this issue and move towards the undergrounding of the North-South interconnector?

Did I hear the Deputy correctly? Did he say the minister granted permission-----

Yes.

-----or did it go through the planning process in the North?

The minister has the final say.

Is the Deputy's party not a member of that Executive?

Unfortunately, it is a unilateral decision.

There is no such thing as unilateral in an executive or in a government.

Yes, there is, actually.

The Deputy must accept collective responsibility.

I have asked the Taoiseach what his position is.

It is the duplicity that the Deputy's party consistently deploys in terms of its stances on various issues.

For the record, I will quote the line again: "Fianna Fáil stands by its commitment that this project can only proceed-----

If it does not like the decision of the Executive, it is not its decision.

-----on the basis that the lines are placed underground".

It did the same on social welfare in the past on the Executive-----

What is the Taoiseach's position now?

I respect the planning process. Our position has been very clear about the North-South interconnector and we will work to see what can be achieved in that regard.