Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First and foremost, the change of language in amendment No. 169 is for absolute clarity’s sake. When an SEA on plans is mandatory, it is still a requirement to determine this through a formal screening process. This is related to the timeframe. In respect of the Deputy’s second question, it must be sent to the designated environmental authorities for their consideration for a period of not less than four weeks from the dates of notice. Currently, SEA environmental authorities are listed yet we have these before the EPA and the Minister for agriculture, the Minister for housing – myself – the development applications unit at the Department of housing and the Minister for the environment. It is for absolute clarity to remove any doubt. It is also a more efficient provision to effectively stop the clock if an SEA or AA is required rather than be prescriptive with the absolute timeframe. That is it.