Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

No, the streamlined process is to give certainty to applicants but also to ensure those who wish to make observations will have the right to do so. We are transitioning from an archaic consenting system under the Foreshore Act to a much more streamlined consenting regime, which has been legislated for by the Maritime Area Planning Act. It is streamlined. It will still allow for public consultation and engagement but will also give certainty. It will avoid the duplication of assessments and the proposed amendments will create a pathway to move from the foreshore system to the new planning system. The benefit of the approach proposed in these amendments is that there will be an expedited and orderly closure of the foreshore consenting system and a move to more modern consenting structures provided for under the Maritime Area Planning Act.