Mr. Paul O'Brien:

I will respond to the Deputy's first and perhaps fourth questions.

Impact assessment is the key issue. We are asking the Government to make a commitment that some form of impact assessment will be done before it is too late. It is my understanding that much of this will begin to happen in November. The first piece will be rolled out in November. Critically an assessment must be done at national level to fully measure its implications. We have heard different figures and totals for different types and amounts and of land, but we do not know. We are unfortunately living in a vacuum. I suggest the first thing the Government needs to do is assess the impact of its potential.

I will ask my colleague, Ms Geraldine O'Sullivan, to respond to the Deputy's second and third questions.