Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State outlined, there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest. Bear in mind, the Natura 2000 sites are not generally protected areas. They are the highest quality, most precious areas of biodiversity we have in the State. If a decision was made that basically said we are willing to have damage done to a Natura 2000 site for a reason of public interest, it would be something which we have never done as a State. One of the things which ensured we never did was because there were checks and balances. This is really important and it is something we lose without consultation. It is not simply about who makes the decision. It is about transparency around how the decision is made. One of the things which was good about consulting with a Minister was that there were two different opinions available to the public, the concerned, the planners, and those in the Oireachtas. There were two different opinions and two different areas of expertise brought to bear on such a serious decision. That is an example whereby having a different and particular set of perspectives is vitally important. I worry that we will lose an element of transparency there. I think we will see consequences down the line. I am signalling that as an area of concern and that it is something that could have been avoided had there been slightly better crafting.