Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The CER will be represented at the oral hearings. Not only will its officials will be able to respond to specific local and community concerns, worries and anxieties at that forum, but they will also be in a position to respond further in writing at a later stage, if necessary. There is no problem with people making submissions at that time. Those who make representations may receive a direct response during the oral hearing process, or by means of a letter at a later stage. As a public personage who has the responsibility of an executive position in the Government, I am responding to Deputy Coveney in an open public setting. In the same fashion, local concerns can be publicly addressed during the oral hearing stage of the planning process. The Deputy is asking me to replicate that, in effect, at a later stage in the process. I do not consider it necessary to do so, as it would represent a move beyond international best practice in this area. I will leave it at that.

I accept that the Corrib case is exceptional. There are differing opinions on it. As a Minister of State who is trying to promote and encourage investment in offshore exploration, I am open to the accusation that it is inevitable that I would hold my particular view on it. That is how I define my job in the context of the ongoing recession. I am in the business of attracting investment in exploration to this country and cutting out any undue delays and forms of bureaucracy that are over and above what is internationally regarded as best practice. Governments are often accused of creating more bureaucracy. The Opposition has often alleged that this Government has created too many quangos. I do not disagree with the assertion that we have done that in recent years. It is time to unwind these bureaucracies and make it easier and safer or people to do business and, ultimately, create jobs here.

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