Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for the work that has been put into this. The phrase "landmark document" is sometimes overused, but this certainly puts a shape and plan on both the nearshore and the foreshore for many decades to come. It is very significant legislation. We should not underestimate the amount of consultation that has been done on this, which is worth repeating.

I have spoken to councillors throughout the country who are familiar with consultations that have taken place, but sometimes they become important only when there is heat in the argument.

Inevitably, planning applications or proposals will come before communities. What opportunity is there for continuous engagement on this issue? I refer, in particular, to those areas where there will be disagreement but also to communicating with people about their rights. Equally, local authorities have a responsibility to communicate with councillors about how they engage in the obligations placed on the local authorities.