Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

A strategic environmental assessment is required under the EU directive. A high level of consultation with environmental groups and the public is required. Was that part of the terms of reference given to the people awarded the tender or are we aiming at something below that? We all recognise the increasing importance of the food industry and the agriculture sector as one of the areas with potential for serious growth. We want to ensure the image we have is retained. The strategic environmental assessment gives a kind of added assurance that the industry is compatible with the environmental standards against which we would be measured in regard to this particular initiative. Will environmental groups and the public be included in this process?

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