Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 84:

In page 25, line 39, after “hearing.” to insert the following:“In determining whether there is ‘a compelling case’ to conduct an oral hearing the Board shall include consideration of—

(I) the complexity of technical or environmental considerations associated with the development and how an oral hearing might assist the environmental decision-making process,

(II) local and context specific considerations,

(III) the public interest to be served through the conduct of an oral hearing, and

(IV) the interests of natural justice.”.

The purpose of the amendment is to broaden the grounds on which an oral hearing may be granted and to increase the levels of transparency and public involvement. It is self-explanatory.