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

Senator Higgins has detailed the reasons for her opposition to section 18. The section contains technical amendments with respect to remedial environmental impact statements as a result of the substantive changes to the Bill. I note the concerns raised by the Senator. However, the removal of the leave-to-apply process when applying for substitute consent is one of the core elements of the Bill proposed and therefore we cannot consent to its removal.