Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I take the point made by Senator Quinn on the need for speed and timelines. I will check the legal position around what those wordings mean and come back to the Deputy on the matter.

Senator Donohoe's interpretation that publication is at the end of rather that in the middle of the process is correct. The reason for this is I am informed because this process from a safety perspective is very iterative. It is a negotiated series of discussions involving examination of a range of quite complex interconnected variables. The job of the safety officers is to get the most satisfactory outcome from this iterative process, which must fit within the framework put in place. I understand it is not a process which is equivalent to the planning process. A planning application is fairly clear and simple in terms of what is being sought and amendments in this regard can be reasonably and clearly shown. I understand the progression of a safety case is iterative. We could not find an international example where that process is carried out in a public way. I am informed it would take away from the effectiveness or ability of the officers to do their work if the approach adopted at every stage of what are complex negotiations had to be published along the way.

While I understand the Senator's instincts, we have at least moved in the direction of ensuring that any outcome in terms of the permit and safety case behind it is publicly available.