Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hope I answer all of the questions, but Deputies can come back to me if I do not.

It is my intention to publish the reports without delay. I have to bring them to the Cabinet. Once that has been done, it is my intention to publish them and I have already instructed my officials in that regard. I am anxious to have them placed in the public domain as quickly as possible to let people go through them and have all of the information available to them.

The oral hearing at An Bord Pleanála started before I was appointed. I know of the frustration which has been expressed by colleagues, not just on the floor of the House but also by others, at the manner in which information has been disclosed. I have made my views known on that issue.

On the Northern Ireland process, Deputy Brendan Smith is correct. There was no political or ministerial input into the process. The decision was taken on 23 January by the planning appeals commission in Belfast. It stated that owing to the urgent and compelling need for the proposed development it was in the public interest to take the decision without further delay given the strategic importance of the project for the region.

I will come back to Deputy Shane Cassells' question on access.

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