John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

To answer the Deputy's first question, it was not 10%; it is up 12%. On his second question, it is not in the Minister's gift — indeed, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said, it is illegal to comment on any application or to try to influence any application. However, in my role as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have extended the special protection area for Dublin Bay. It is an area I consider to be of immense ecological importance. That is why it was done. It has been welcomed by most people who are interested in Dublin Bay. As the Deputy knows, we have also set up the Dublin Bay task force. We are looking at regenerating the bay as a real resource — something that Dubliners can be proud of. Compared to any other city, we are lucky and privileged to have such a bay.

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