Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the face of it, this proposal is something that is to be welcomed. In some cases, we may have missed the boat because at a local authority level, people have argued that, as is the case in other countries, part of one's planning permission should have made provision for all these services. It is much easier to do it at that stage than it is to retrofit it. As it is very expensive to do it through retrofitting, I certainly would welcome that.

As for asset owners, railways and roads were mentioned but is there a need to include motorways and tunnels? Mention also was made about one specific point of contact and the witnesses might explain or expand on what that might be. In addition, does the Chairman envisage that some stakeholders will appear before this joint committee to discuss this directive or will they simply deal with the Department?