Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree it takes too long to reach decisions on these schemes. It is similar to a planning application. An application is made, and there is a period of time for submissions and public consultation. If additional information is required, we have to go back out, take submissions and listen to the public again. When the public consultation periods and additional information are over, the application has to considered by experts. That is required by the law. The reason we have to stick to the law is he recent experience with the River Bride scheme in Blackpool, County Cork. This decision was made by the Minister, but was challenged in the second half of 2021 by judicial review. This necessitated a pause in reaching a ministerial decision on Crossmolina to consider the legal arguments and associated impact on the confirmation process. The Department ultimately conceded on the single ground relating to public consultation procedures in January 2022. We do not want to see that happen again in Crossmolina. We do not want to see a judicial review happen. We need to make sure we take into account the lessons from the last scheme in Blackpool so it does not happen again in Crossmolina.

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