Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

I am pleased to hear the Minister's last few phrases about the need to get back to having citizens involved in decisions that affect them. When he is deliberating on local government reform will he consider not only the need to devolve power back to local authorities but, wherever possible, devolving power, decision making and participation to the citizens? There has been considerable alienation of local communities from their local authorities because of a feeling that decisions are made over their heads in favour of developers, or whatever.

In that regard, and following the controversies in areas such as Corrib and, lately, the Kish in regard to applications for drilling licences on the foreshore, will the Minister agree it should not be at his discretion only there should be public inquiries on these matters but that it should be mandatory to have a public inquiry concerning any oil or gas exploration within the foreshore area? Perhaps the Minister could make a start in moving in that direction by indicating he will allow for a public inquiry on the Providence Resources application to drill for oil and gas off the Dalkey and Killiney coastline.

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