Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The legislation with which we are dealing gives both Ministers - the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government following consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - power to make regulations specifying the bodies which are to submit their observations to either Minister on foreshore applications. I understand the intention of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is to make these regulations quickly. It will address, perhaps, one of the fundamental issues related to delays which was raised by several speakers in the course of the Second Stage debate because there then will be a specified period within which the bodies which have a right to make submissions must make such submissions. It will be dealt with in any event. In the context of the process for doing so, this amendment would be entirely unhelpful and I must reject it.

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