Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is very apparent to Oireachtas Members that the role of the Department in issuing consent is taking far too long. The consultants it is retaining to perform this function are taking far too long. At the last hour, we are getting additional timelines and setbacks to delivery. Reform certainly is needed in this area. It is a year since the OPW finished its environmental submissions and met its obligation in that regard. We then had the Department seeking supplementary information. It is still unknown whether this has to go to a third public consultation, depending on the significant nature of the information that is being presented. How can we streamline the process and give assurance to the public and to the communities who desperately need these schemes?