Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Senator Higgins has laid out the key concerns and rationale behind amendments Nos. 34 and 35. Earlier, we pointed to the restrictions relating to the time and the 28-day period, as well as to the ability of the Minister of State to reduce the period to 14 days. We pointed to how it may take up to six weeks for people to get the information they require. Now, however, there is a barrier in their way. If they wish to submit appeals, they must have all the information to hand. As Senator Higgins pointed out, information may only come to light after that point.

Earlier, the Minister of State made reference to the information being published. When a decision is made, the only information that is actually published is that of a headline nature. The Minister of State should be aware of this. In fact, the Department requires that appellants submit applications under access to information on the environment legislation to gain the information they require. Again, we are asking the Minister of State to give this consideration. If she will not do it today, then she should do it in the Dáil. Our concerns relate to the 14-day and 28-day periods and the restrictions around needing to have all the information in and not allowing for someone to come forward with subsequent information.