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

All the processes outlined in the Bill are compliant with the Aarhus Convention. That is a key principle of the review of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Deputy Ó Broin is correct in terms of the four-week consultation period; it provides time to put it all together.

In terms of publication, section 32(4) states that "A regional spatial and economic strategy, or a revision of an existing strategy, shall take effect 6 weeks after the date on which it is made by the regional assembly". The point was made by Deputy Boyd Barrett regarding newspapers. We are looking at that. That should be the case for all notification requirements. It should be online and we should be looking at other means. Newspapers are a very limited means of notification and that is recognised.