Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is absolutely correct as regards maritime issues. We have seen maritime legislation and the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, and all of the bits of legislation around that. That is an important complement to any new board. The heavy emphasis on environmental issues is important because many of those subsequently become challenges and are referred for judicial review. Planning should not be determined by judicial review. I understand why it goes down that road, but we need a better, more robust system. I fully acknowledge the importance of maritime and environmental expertise on the board but it is important that local government can contribute in some way. It does not necessarily have to have the final say but that it can contribute. I would like to think this new legislation will not exclude former city or county councillors. They bring a certain amount of expertise. That is something we can tease out in the legislation. I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive report.