Mr. Chris McGarry:

I thank the Deputy for the question. I wish to make a point, which will hopefully provide some reassurance. It is a particular aspect of an coimisiún. Our professional colleagues at the inspectorate will provide us with a detailed assessment of the material. By the time it comes to the commissioners, we will have all the evidence on the file, that is, the contested evidence from both sides. I assure the Deputy that we cast quite a cold and sceptical eye, if you want to call it that, on all detail. We interrogate it in our meeting schedule. We interrogate quite forcefully. As the Deputy will know, commissioners, under law, are appointed because they come from a certain area of experience. They are intended to bring experience of decision-making, analysis and debate to the commission. I can say to the Deputy quite honestly, having looked at a lot of the EIA work over the years, we find them impartial. Dare I say it, those who might stray from impartiality will be found out quickly in the analysis we do.

I note the Deputy’s notion about a central pull. That might be slightly tricky in the Irish context in terms of sheer numbers. If it is any kind of reassurance, there is a clear impartial and neutral interrogation of the evidence. We engage with all evidence before we come to our decision.