Ms Maria Graham:

In terms of the first piece, it is to make sure that we are aligned with the directives as they are now, and to note that things do evolve, so that we can come up to speed as quickly as possible. Structurally, one of the ideas is that the environmental provisions would be a separate part in the Act so that they could be easily read and amended should new directives come about. In that alignment, we also need to ensure that there is a signposting, particularly around timelines and the processes, so that they all work together. One of the critical areas we are looking at is mapping them out to make sure those timelines are working well.

The Deputy mentioned the renewable energy. Yesterday, at the planning advisory forum, we had a presentation from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on the EU proposals. Members of the renewable energy sector were also present, as well as environmental NGOs. We have to get extra discussion papers in, but one thing that struck about the debate was that there was a common view on being clear about the purpose of the directives. There was a discussion about how many of the documents have become elongated to the extent that it is very hard for people to engage with them or to be clear on what the purpose is. It was like the discussion we had on plans, in that there is a need to be more succinct and focused on the significant environmental effects are, for example.

The other piece is on timelines and certainty. Obviously, proposals are emerging on the European front, but for the renewable energy sector and other sectors it is about certainty of timelines and that has implications on resourcing, skills and whether we put statutory timelines into the new Act. This is something we touched on when we were talking about the consents.

At present, the renewable energy policy is set by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, taking into account all the elements. They include onshore and offshore elements but, obviously, offshore will be a growing element of it. We need to make sure that the planning system, which is around the process, can deliver on whatever the policy objectives may be, including targets for onshore and offshore over time. I am not sure if that fully answers the Deputy's questions but there were some of the issues that struck me.