Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Section 7(1) states: "The Minister may, having considered an application made to him or her under section 4". This is done having taken into account the assessments carried out by the board under section 5(2) and section 6(1). An Bord Pleanála is independent in this. It will carry out the assessment. It has the independent inspectors. If, according to section 7(1), it sets out conditions or recommendations, these would limit or affect what a Minister would consider doing in approving or refusing a development subject to conditions. The ministerial powers are very much framed within the context of getting the assessment from An Bord Pleanála, which is appropriate.

See this speech in context