Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy and I will have to beg to differ on this point. As I said, we see section 24(2) as a very positive measure. It is rare that there would not, in practice, be public consultation. It will now be prescribed for specifically by way of legislation under section 24(2). There may be rare situations. Public consultation would probably take a minimum period of four weeks. The key point for us in government is that we believe "shall" is too prescriptive and may result in unintended consequences. Some urgent matters might arise but they will be very rare and cases without public consultation have been very rare. Situations may arise whereby something is of great national significance and has an impact on businesses and households. The general intention is to continue the process of going to public consultation. The Deputy and I will have to beg to differ on the point.