Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Higgins's opposition to section 17 concerns technical drafting amendments with respect to remedial environmental impact statements as a result of the substantive changes in the Bill. I cannot accept the opposition to these sections. They comprise technical amendments necessary as a result of the repeal of section 177D and ancillary provisions relating to the decision of the board whether to grant leave to apply for substitute consent. The removal of the leave to apply stage when applying for substitute consent is one of the core elements of what is being proposed. For this reason, I cannot assent to its removal nor that of any ensuing technical amendments elsewhere in the Bill.