Ms Attracta U? Bhroin:

I was trying to concentrate on the time issue. I will go on record as saying that the Attorney General is not infallible. Before Christmas, we were in front of the Aarhus Convention compliance committee and its members were taking issue with an action plan Ireland had put forward to comply with certain non-compliances in relation to the extension of the duration of planning permission. There was a fundamental test. A member of that committee basically said that Ireland had got this wrong and was not reflecting the test required in the Aarhus convention. This refers to the need to understand when participation is required based on an impact on the environment. Ireland has narrowed this aspect down to EIA and AA and this is being done again in these proposed provisions. It was stated in December that this was wrong and it is wrong again in this Bill. These are fundamental issues where we have the gravest of concerns regarding Aarhus Convention compliance regarding multiple aspects of this proposed legislation. From the transcript of the session with representatives of the Department, I note there has been no independent review and no proper assessment of this proposed legislation's compliance with the Aarhus Convention. There are just general principles of what is supposed to be done. Well, I am supposed to be on a diet but am I keeping to it? Look at me.