Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

It is a detailed question. Providence Resources has a licensing option to explore further out from the shore but it was required specifically to make an application to put an oil rig on the foreshore. If the legislation is passed, will the company get around the requirement to conduct an environmental impact assessment relating to the oil rig because it has the licensing option for the entire area? Once one gets a licensing option and a general okay regarding the environmental impact assessment, then anything built relating to the project does not require a more specific assessment.

Will Ms Kelly comment on the public consultation aspect of this? There should be a normal planning process initially, an appeal process relating to the overall coastal zone and finally a proper appeals process governing everything.