Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Environmental Protection Agency is of course independent. All the normal protections that the courts offer any citizen or organisation are available. The purpose of the Environmental Protection Agency, however, is to serve as an independent expert body. I have provided, for instance, that there would be more access for the public to an oral hearing on a particular activity. If people require more information, it should be provided in a transparent way. Aside from this, however, the answer to the Senator's question is no. The courts are the only channel through which an independent appeal can be made.