Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can if the Chairman allows me a minute or two to do so. Bad practice is not exclusive to good times. We could have bad practice now if something was proposed. I have often found myself in what was described as the anti-crowd because I would have scrutinised things. We can have bad practice in good times where people believe anything is better than nothing in terms of development. It is just as important to have good systems in place now.

However, I would like to a see a broader and better role for regional authorities, which would provides for them being at a greater remove.

There is no point in having good planning laws if they are not enforced. I know of many examples where enforcement notices were torn up and thrown in the dustbin. One of the greatest problems with this is the time it takes for decisions. It is fine to talk about putting good laws in place but resources will be enormously important. I have unauthorised development, UD, files that I am chasing at the moment that are between two and four years old, which are perhaps queuing in the courts. The courts system is an issue, as are the resourcing and staffing of planning departments.

I am a little concerned about reference to large scale UDs and who makes the decision on what is large scale. Sometimes small scale UDs can have a significant impact, particularly when the cumulative effect of a number of them is considered. I am concerned about the resourcing and the definition of scale. I am pleased, however, that these decisions have made it on to the radar in the context of a statutory framework. Enforcement is the issue and our planning system will become the poor relation if enforcement is ignored. It needs more than great policy; it needs the ability to deliver on the policy.