Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for being here today to discuss this with us. It has been a very informative process for me in particular. Some of what has been delved into in the second session has been very interesting and I want to make sure that we get the feedback from the Department and the Minister on some of the concerns raised today.

For all of us – everybody who has spoken on this issue today – the integrity of the planning system is at the heart of the decision-making process. Wanting to get trust and public confidence back into the public planning system is what we all aspire to, want and badly need at this point.

On the IPI’s comments, I believe the committee process will be a better system. However, I am quite interested to hear the idea that the committee system could draw on the panel. Any ways in which to improve the process would be something I would be interested in hearing more about. The list of areas of expertise outlined seem reasonable and practical.

Has the Irish Planning Institute had a level of feedback from the Department and Minister on that?

We heard that independence and transparency are absolutely the key concerns of the Irish Environmental Network. We need to explore those concerns a little bit more. What I have not heard as much about, though, on which I might spend some time if Ms Uí Bhroin does not mind, is what she mentioned in her opening statement about changes to the foreshore legislation and potential unintended consequences. Ms Uí Bhroin might elaborate on that a little more so I can understand those issues. Those are my two questions for the Irish Planning Institute and Irish Environmental Network.