Dr. Anne Marie O'Hagan:

Since adoption of the Strategic Infrastructure Development Act, there has been criticism because of a lack of public participation or an appeal process, as people are automatically drawn to courts. There is also the treatment of local authorities essentially as statutory consultees as opposed to people with local knowledge and the ability to make a decision on a project. If we are putting effort into adding to the strategic infrastructure development regime, perhaps we should invest more time in the Act and try to solve some of the problems identified with it.

With regard to specific protection of the foreshore, unless there is a designation in the Bill in the form of a special area of conservation or special protection area, the area would not deserve any different attention. Unless it comes under a separate European designation it will not be treated differently to any other area.