Mr. John Fitzgerald:

As a statutory consultee, the Department gives its observations in terms of its functions. We are not a decision-making body in terms of planning. In general, the projects we are talking about are a matter for An Bord Pleanála whether they are Part 8 projects or strategic infrastructural developments. The NPWS, as with other statutory bodies, may be called by An Bord Pleanála to an oral hearing. We are asked about specific issues and give our views. There may often be conflicting views between what we say and what is said by a developer.