Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

I laid out the rationale for this. We have to be fully compliant with the environmental impact assessment directive and we will be. In response to a previous amendment that was similar to this, I said that we cannot be too narrow or broad regarding what constitutes a civil emergency or defence of the State. This would be used in extremis. There are still guard-rails around it. There might be a typographical error on the last line of the amendment. It contains the words "does not of itself constitute it an activity for the sole purpose of the defence of the State". This is not necessarily a defence of the State mechanism but we would be able to bring forward an emergency process in that regard in emergency circumstances. It still has guard-rails. It still has to be compliant with the environmental impact assessment directive and it will be. We are more than happy that the provisions in place are proportionate. It is based on text in section 228 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 so I am more than satisfied the provisions regarding emergency applications are appropriate. Therefore, I cannot accept this amendment.