Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. Amendment No. 10 proposes to exclude certain days from public consultation periods to ensure that such consultations are not inappropriately truncated. I accept the spirit of this amendment and thank the Deputies for its proposal. This amendment is not necessary for Part 2, which involves marine spatial planning, because the regulations made under sections 18(4) and 23(4) of the Bill will set out appropriate time periods for public consultation and will exclude certain times from the consultation period. If it is agreeable to the committee, I will instruct my officials to engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to prepare the necessary text and appropriate locations within the Bill as a supplementary amendment.

I will oppose the amendment as proposed. Perhaps the Deputies would consider withdrawing the amendment to allow for further consideration. Our main objective, as I hope I am demonstrating, is that the public will be involved in every step of this process. We have demonstrated that through the national marine planning framework, whereby there were regional advertisements for the various roadshows it embarked on throughout its four year genesis until it was approved by the Oireachtas.