Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The amendments in this group clarify the planning processes with regard to railway orders. The first amendment makes it clear that a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for railway development done by way of railway order is complete and there is no requirement to also go through the standard planning process for any aspect of the development. The second amendment relates to An Bord Pleanála granting rights to a railway operator in a railway order when the railway crosses a public road, or in the case of Luas uses a public road. It removes the need for the consent of the Minister for Transport to the rights granted.