Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have tabled previous questions and I will continue to do so because this is of such vital importance to the city. I do not disagree that this is to process, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme. Nobody would argue with that. However, my difficulty with this is in terms of some of the comments that have been made, including by the Minister of State, who is not here, in regard to the term "objectors". In my experience of local politics, I have no difficulty with people making submissions under the planning laws. I do not call them objectors. On various occasions the courts have highlighted that without lay people taking part in the planning process, the situation would be much worse. There is a public consultation process. Unfortunately, because of Covid, the first meeting was held online and had poor attendance. Has any analysis been done into that? Second, will the Minister of State provide an assurance that the next consultation will be held face-to-face?

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