Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Local authorities are constrained because there are statutory time limits for them to make decisions while An Bord Pleanála as it stands, at least before this legislation comes in, is not so constrained. It should and will be constrained in that regard. Despite those constraints, the local authorities, to be fair to them, get decisions made.