Ms Attracta U? Bhroin:

The first area of concern is in section 1A of the Bill. The current Planning and Development Act sets out a raft of EU directives that are given effect to by the legislation. That is glaring in its omission from the current proposed Bill. As regards knowing what framework this Bill is transposing with respect to EU law and interpretation, it is a profound omission. There are some references to directives scattered throughout the Bill in various parts, but there is no coherence. The fundamental elements of environmental assessment which are participatory rights, access to information rights and access to justice rights should be included in that section. That section should also reflect issues such as the Bill giving effect to the Aarhus and Espoo conventions. I will ask Ms Duvall to speak about specifics on environmental assessment.