Planning and Development Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2020-12-02
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Eugene Murphy (FF), Agricultural Panel

The Senator might allow me to make my point. The definition of the word "shall" legally means something must be done as opposed to the term "may", which simply means that something is allowed. In other words, "may" means it can be done but it does not have to be done. Surely the interpretation and legal definition of the word "shall", which is clearly stated in the Bill which provides that a planning authority "shall consult with members of the public in such manner" and so forth, is in black and white and means the process must be done and carried out.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2020-12-02/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-12-02