Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I feel there has been a great deal of consultation over the years. Some people may feel it has been at a broader or higher level and that it was not specific enough, but it was always the intention to have consultation before any final decisions were made. Senator Donohoe's amendment is asking us to insert a statutory commitment in the legislation so that there would be local consultation before things move forward, if the harbour's direction was being changed. I agree with the proposer. It was always going to happen, but the amendment seeks a specific statutory commitment. I agreed during the earlier debate that it was a sound idea and I gave an assurance that it can and will be done. I have already started the process of formulating a proper wording. It is my intention to come back on Report Stage to take the Senator's idea on board. It will thus be inserted in the legislation so that people can see that consultation is taking place. People may feel, as Senator O'Donovan said, that there was not specific consultation in the past, but there was consultation on a broad, general level. There is a time for consultation on a broad level and a time for much more specific consultation. If there is a lack of faith and a feeling that previous commitments or promises were not fulfilled, the Senator's amendment seeks to insert that into the legislation. Once something is in legislation it is in black and white. The Senator's suggestion is a good one, which I am accepting and I will bring forward wording to do as he has outlined.