Consultation procedures have been strengthened; the EPA, the DoEHLG and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DoCENR) are the statutory environmental authorities that need to be consulted during assessment. However, as in many countries, there is little evidence concerning the influence of SEA on decisionmaking or on environmental quality and overall sustainability of plans (Scott, 2005). In line with the directive, Irish SEA focuses on environmental sustainability rather than on sustainable development, and is not integrated in a wider sustainability appraisal as in the United Kingdom. It should assess all impacts of a proposal, including environmental and unintentional ones, and allow for stakeholder consultation.9 Some 74 RIAs were produced between June 2005 and February 2008, and more than 800 officials underwent training to do RIA, leading to a significant increase in quality.