James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I am sure everyone in this House and every right-minded citizen of this State will agree that we cannot erode the democratic participation of our citizens in any decision-making process, particularly when those decisions affect their future and that of their children.

Can the Minister elaborate on the role of the Environmental Protection Agency? Will there be consultation with the EPA? Senator Brady and I had reason to visit the agency at Easter and saw the very valuable work it does for the environment. There is no mention of it in the Bill but it is an important, independent body and its role should be outlined. Has the Minister given the agency any special status?

Our citizens are very important. I have travelled extensively over the years but my heart is where I was born and reared and where I have lived all my life. There should be consultation with people locally and their views should be paramount in any decision making, because they might have local knowledge that can be taken on board.