Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to set out his response to the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee commentary on the Planning and Development Bill 2023, in particular to the concern it has raised with sections 133, 135 (2) (b) and (d) and whether they would fulfil the requirements of paragraph 4 (a) (i) of decisions VII/8i; and if he intends to table further amendments to the Bill at Seanad Stage to address the concerns of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee. [27038/24]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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245. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the report by the ‘Compliance Committee to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention)’, in particular the first progress review of the implementation of decision VII/8i on compliance by Ireland with its obligations under the Convention in the context of the ongoing parliamentary procedure progressing the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27160/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 245 together.

The Planning and Development Bill 2023, which shortly commences Seanad Second Stage is the culmination of a three year process of policy and legal review, led by the Office of the Attorney General; engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders and one of the most extensive pre-legislative and Select Committee scrutiny undertaken in recent memory.

As part of the drafting of the Bill, it has been extensively reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General to ensure full compliance and alignment with our relevant international obligations, including the Aarhus Convention.

I am aware of the draft compliance report from the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee and its comments in relation to the Bill and I am liaising with the Attorney General on the matter.