Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This section of the Bill gives the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, power to make regulations specifying the bodies which are to submit their observations and also the time period within which such observations are to be submitted to either Minister, or sometimes to both, in regard to foreshore consent applications. It is the intention of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make these regulations as and when appropriate. Such a measure will be part of the reform proposals envisaged by the Minister to which I have already referred. It would not be possible or even desirable at this stage to have a 30 day time limit on the process. It is, however, fair to say section 12 achieves what both Senators have been talking about in terms of a time limit. What falls to be decided is when the Minister will be in a position to do this. There are considerations about projects that might come into play, particularly bodies which might be specified as bodies for consultation.