Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The principles and policies to which the Minister shall have regard are listed in the Bill. When the Minister is making his or her decision, he or she may consider applications for planning which have been submitted, planning permissions which have been granted under the Planning and Development Acts and environmental impact assessments which have been carried out. Any such applications, permissions or assessments would have regard to the relevant county and city development plan. I do not think it is necessary to include the reference suggested by Senator Cummins. If planning permission has been granted in an area, the relevant plan will already have been consulted as part of that framework. I do not think it is necessary to accept the amendment.