Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to consider amendments Nos. 4 and 19 to 23, inclusive, together. Their common feature is a desire to achieve an appropriate level of public consultation. Deputy Coveney's amendment seeks to add a formal public consultation process to the designation of petroleum activities. Having listened to the views expressed by Deputies Coveney and McManus on Committee Stage, I now propose to amend the Bill explicitly to require a formal public consultation process to be carried out by the commission in establishing the safety framework. As this framework will set out the designated activities, it will afford the public an opportunity to comment on such activities prior to the implementation of the framework.

I do not propose to accept Deputy Coveney's amendment in respect of a formal public consultation process specific to the designation of petroleum activities. However, I point out that under section 13(D)(3)(a)(ii) of the Bill the commission is required to "give interested persons, organisations and bodies an opportunity to make representations to it" in respect of the proposed designation of petroleum activities.

Amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, are technical drafting amendments requiring the renumbering of ensuing provisions consequential on the insertion of the new public consultation provision. I hope the level of formal consultation on the framework will assuage the Deputy's concerns regarding the information issue.

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