Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate Senator Boyhan spoke only to amendment No. 11. If the other Senators do not wish to speak to their amendments, I will address them as a group.

All of the amendments in the group relate to the time limit for appeals. A number of suggestions have been made to me on the side to the effect that the length of time is too long and should be shorter. However, I consider that 28 days is a sufficient time to allow for the lodgment of an appeal. It must be remembered that a time period of 30 days is given in the first instance for interested parties to make a submission regarding the application. From the point at which a licence application is submitted, there is a two-month period within which a submission can be made. If people are very concerned about an issue at the point the licence application is made, they have up to two months to collect data and information and determine their view in respect of the licence. They can potentially appeal after that. Extending the time period for lodging an appeal beyond 28 days is not appropriate or in line with objective, timely decision-making, which is important. We have to consider the applicants also. The criticisms of the Bill are from one side but we also have to take a balanced approach.

Decisions on licences are published promptly on the Department's website to afford the public the opportunity to appeal. The date from which the appeals period of 28 days applies is the date of the decision.

Plans for the introduction of an online portal are well advanced. That will provide the public with more information than is currently available. I have been assured the portal will be available within the next number of weeks.I hope that might address some of the issues that currently arise regarding the information available. As a result, a period of 28 days is sufficient and I will not be accepting the amendments.