Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I have answered the points raised by Deputy Ring regarding planning and consents. The Department was not any more open to Shell than any other company.

Deputy Kenny asked whether the Department is in dispute with the High Court. To my knowledge, it is not and I am not going to get into a position where I am in dispute with the High Court. Deputy Kenny's question is probably answered by my response regarding whether the company has consent to lay the pipeline. I believe that was Deputy Kenny's point and the company has not got consent to do that yet.

I have dealt with the question of planning.

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