Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister of State's bona fides in respect of amendment No. 3 because I know there has been movement on that. In the text of amendment No. 34, subsection (3)(b)(iii) deals with the administrative burden that is placed on the public. There should be no battle or difficulty in terms of the administrative burden that is placed on the competent authority versus the public and its participation. We need to consider how we can make that easier. I appreciate that the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, has offered to engage with the relevant committee but I ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, expand on that and indicate a willingness to engage with interested parties and smaller groups which will not necessarily have a member on that committee but are concerned and passionate about the issue of public participation. For example - this is only an example because others are also very keen - this is of great interest to the Civil Engagement Group and civil society organisations with which we try to work.

If there was an indication of engagement around those regulations, that would be helpful. I would like the Minister of State to accept amendment No. 34 because I believe it sets out a lot of very useful concrete ideas. I hope the content of the amendment will be borne in mind in the development of the regulations as described by the Minister of State. I will not press amendment No. 3, but I would welcome a final comment from the Minister of State in regard to amendment No. 34 as I do not we believe we will get to discuss it again.