Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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With regard to amendments Nos. 38 and 39, and the need for public participation for our compliance with the Aarhus Convention, will the Minister of State explain this to us? He said that sometimes there is some consultation and sometimes there is not - that it is not necessary sometimes. In terms of compliance with the Aarhus Convention, how is that decided? I am concerned by the Minister of State's answer because there seems to be a very high level of discretion on that, that it will not be laid out in the legislation and we are just relying on discretion. That is more ministerial power and centralisation of power. Will the Minister of State explain how it is decided? Is my interpretation that there is a lot of discretion there correct or does the Bill set out where that discretion is not there? Our amendments are trying to make sure there is less discretion there and that it is set out in the legislation.