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

I have similar questions in regard to heads 9 and 10. While we do not want in any way to delay the much-needed development of offshore wind, there seems to be some disquiet from those people who are promoting projects. My understanding of Ms Murray's answer is that she effectively is saying that from the sea bed, the column and the air above it, which is all the territorial area of the State, there is one regulatory environment for all of it. While I hear her, we need to do a lot more to communicate that idea. There was some surprise that there was additionality being added here.

Regarding the pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill, there are really two Bills here. There is the foreshore element and then there is the planning element. I do not in any way want to delay legislation for offshore wind but I do not know if these two heads need to be taken right now. It might be possible to have more dialogue with that sector. That is something we perhaps should leave in our back pocket, in that if we cannot iron out the concerns here, perhaps we should take the foreshore element of this Bill at a future but not indefinite date. I say this as a matter of concern but I acknowledge the witnesses' clarifications have been really useful.

On Saturday last, I held a public consultation regarding MetroLink and BusConnects, which are two huge transport projects. A huge number of people attended, eager to find out more information. Many people echoed the same sentiment, which was that as the NTA had not listened to them previously, they asked why would this time be different. To instil confidence in the system, I told them that there is an entirely independent body called An Bord Pleanála which is going to evaluate this project. As I used the name of the board, one man rolled his eyes and another man said ''you mean half of An Bord Pleanála''. The difficulty is we are in a situation where there has been reputational damage to that body. I understand the Minister has put in place robust mechanisms to try to ensure that we get there. Can Ms Graham take us through the action plan from the Minster in order that we can at least point to the improvements that will be made? I note there is additional legislation outside of the action plan as well.