Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issue here is that an applicant has written to us who, if one takes the details out of it, feels trampled upon, oppressed and ignored by the planning system. The planning system simply has been totally non-facilitating of the applicant and has supported a larger project, money and whatever one wants to call it. Basically, the system does not provide for proper notification and does not allow for persons who may not have been involved at the beginning, and the applicant's community is suffering as a result. It is perfectly suitable for this committee. It is something that we see across the planning system. It is such an intrinsic matter. The planning system has become so formalised and professional that if one hires the right person, one can get one's planning application through. If one does not have the right consultants and the right environmental professionals to get one's project through, one can be left out of it. The ordinary person has no say against it. The balance of rights in the planning system, the notifications, etc., are something that we can look at.

Unfortunately, we cannot stop the development proceeding, which is one of the matters we are requested to do, but that should not take away from the seriousness of the issue. As the applicant, Mrs. Cronin, states, she feels that the planning system has let down the community, the provisions are completely inadequate and more comprehensive mechanisms should be put in place to ensure it does not happen again. It is completely within our remit and it is something that is urgent.