Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 21 is similar in intent to amendment No. 16. Sometimes I believe the Government and Government agencies regard people as a problem and just do not trust them. It is believed that if people are told too much, they will make life difficult. We are moving towards a more enlightened model of community participation, not one based on the type of consultation we have always been talking about. The Government and industry are learning that if people are involved from the very beginning, one ends up with better decisions and outcomes. This is because the choices are more informed. Amendment No. 21 would simply encourage openness such that information would flow freely to people, and it would ensure people were involved at each stage of decision-making.

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