Mr. Eamonn Kelly:

That is no problem. On the issue of safeguards and timeframes, by its definition, the Bill extends existing timeframes. The whole point of it is that if there is a set period, the Bill extends that period in parallel to the point that there is a new lockdown. By definition, the extending period relates to the lockdown period. Its very nature is to ensure that public consultation is preserved. I hope that answers the Deputy's question on timeframes.

On the issue of the specificity of various areas, it is absolutely the case that confusion could arise. As I stated, the provision was not just included to cater for situations where there is a prohibition on members of the public moving freely, there is also the potential of individual authority members being struck down by Covid infection such that they cannot comply with the process. That is one example we would envisage. For example, a planning authority may not be able to work through its statutory objectives because its members are infected or have to stay at home or whatever. As members are aware, in the previous lockdown it was used for the entire country. I would argue it worked well because it was widely known about by all elements of the planning sector. We had wide engagement with environmental NGOs and through planning institutes and local authorities. It was widely publicised not only on our own websites, but also through sectors that are involved in planning generally. In terms of communication, we will be doing that again. I do not know whether the Deputy is familiar with what happened on the last occasion. We do have the good experience of having done this before. Circulars were sent to all local authorities. The main point of information was on our public website. We have a large Covid section for members of the public. Local authorities also took it upon themselves to put it on their websites. In some cases, local authorities put notices on their doors. Mr. Hogan and his team drafted frequently asked questions that were also put online. To answer the Deputy's question, we will do what we did before, which is to ensure that as wide a populace as possible understands this issue. The key point in terms of interaction with members of the public is that they are not being restricted. Their engagement is being elongated.

The Deputy asked about e-payments. That is a different issue. Other amendments to the planning Acts are being progressed in terms of e-planning. That is coming in due course. On e-payments, the whole point is that the Bill allows for the extension of the public participation period when there is a lockdown. If a person needs to pay €20 to lodge an objection but there is a lockdown, that period is extended such that they can do so when the lockdown ends. I hope I am explaining it clearly. I again point out that we used this process before. All statutory provisions in the planning Acts were extended by eight weeks this year and that will work its way through the system. It is widely known about by those involved and certainly by all the local authorities. As I stated, the information is available on all the relevant websites, including local authority websites. Does that answer all of the Deputy's questions?