Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that this provision deals primarily with flood relief infrastructure. We are providing that when a reasonable judgment is made that there is not a need for a lengthy delay to facilitate an environmental impact assessment the process can be moved on quickly. There have been extraordinary delays in some cases linked to survey work, assessments and so on. If the Deputy wishes I can list a number of towns where that has happened. However, that said, I take the Deputy's point that we should not ignore the element highlighted by him. As I understand it, when a judgment is being made during the screening process there is a list of recognised bodies that must be part of the process. That list can be changed by way of regulation rather than primary legislation. In other words, we can add to it organisations that believe they should be on it, if they are credible, sensible and so on. The danger is that if we open up the screening process to everybody it could potentially be delayed by one individual or organisation. It is important we get consensus on what requires screening and what does not, and in a transparent and open manner that is supported by credible environmental bodies. If the process was open to everybody it could be slowed down by an individual or organisation whose only aim is to block it.

In the fisheries area, we have named organisations that are involved in the discussions around conservation and so on. I will consider the point made by the Deputy with a view to seeing if we can accommodate it in some way. Is a list of organisations that broadly represent environmental interests as part of the screening process in terms of input not sufficient?