Mr. Tom Woolley:

I thank the Deputy for his question, which brought in a few elements. In terms of the assessments, he will find both in the strategic environmental assessment, SEA, report and the Natura 2000 impact statement there are quite detailed tables setting out what was in the draft and subsequently what was changed as a result of discussions on the assessment side. What has been important to us as we have gone through the past two and a half years is we have worked very closely with the consultants and the relevant advisory bodies across government on the question of making sure the facts we consider through the SEA and LEA processes are built in to the plan and the documents as they evolve.

It was the case we had fairly constructive but challenging conversations with our contractors throughout to make sure we were compliant, accounting for best available information, considering the policies in the round, etc. Off the top of my head I cannot point to one big issue I can say was the big change as a result of the assessments, but the assessments probably touched on and resulted in influence over most policies in most of the chapters. There were what seemed like small changes to the wording, but that had quite a significant impact on the way they are read and the way they will end up being applied. In particular, it was about ensuring where the environment needs to be accounted for in a particular way is articulated in policies where that is relevant. The Deputy will see in the introduction we have also built into supporting text a large signpost to ensure the relevant environmental assessments are accounted for properly in decision-making. It was about making sure the NMPF reflects that.

That is a brief overview of the impact of the assessment process, but because it has been incremental throughout the process, it has had a significant influence. It is difficult to point to one element and say that is the big bang element that made a big change.

The Deputy also had a question related to Article 8(1) of the maritime spatial planning directive. Does Mr. McCabe want me to discuss that one or does he want to do it?