Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's sentiments and am at one with him on his concern, having met with a number of groups, including during the summer with Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Senator Michael Comiskey. I note that Deputy Michael Colreavy has a very strong interest in the area also. There are concerns. In fact, more than 1,000 submissions came from the community during the consultation period prior to the EPA report. That was not just in relation to the environment, but predominantly on health and health impacts. That is why we have built a very strong health pillar into the EPA report. It is also why there is a representative from the health sector on this particular body.

I was very concerned that the EPA would do a two-year report and let someone deal with it then. I sought and built in, not necessarily a mid-term review, but an appraisal of where matters stand at this juncture. The process only commenced last August, but the appraisal will happen shortly. We must look at a mechanism to distribute the resulting information. If there are ideas from the other side of the House, I will move that forward. I am certainly open to them.

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