Mr. Terry Sheridan:

I was just about to supplement my previous comments on the use of the emergency power provisions by the Minister. From recollection, the last time the provisions were used was in the early 1970s, during a health related epidemic when there was a shortage of hospital beds and permission for the construction of a hospital was granted. That is the last time I can recall that the provisions were used. As Mr. Walsh said, any order made in that regard has to be fully compliant with EU and national requirements in terms of proper planning and sustainable development.