Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One thing that is causing confusion in the public mind is the number of projects that are taking place at the same time and that a different approach is being taken to each one. There is a presumption that the same approach is being taken by each one and it is not helpful.

I wish to direct some questions to Element Power. We have spoken about new planning guidelines which are coming on stream. Ideally, what would the witnesses like to see in them? I put this question to all three delegations. We tend to introduce planning legislation from a developer perspective which, in effect, diminishes trust in the system within the general community. I would like to hear a broad view of what each delegation has to say on what the planning guidelines should include.

In respect of the approach taken in dealing with each individual land holder in the first instance, while I do not take the climate sceptic approach, many of the points about the process are well made. A very legalistic approach is often taken to compliance, such as with the Aarhus Convention, rather than having a more holistic approach to the community as opposed to dealing with individual land holders. Mr. Cowhig started off by saying that mistakes were made, but there was very little included in his opening remarks that addressed those mistakes. Given that the approach the company took was to deal with each individual land holder, as opposed to taking a more holistic approach to the community, with benefits that might be derived by the community, does he see that approach as one of things he feels the company did not get right?