Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the members of An Bord Pleanála for their presentation. Ms Kelly spoke about consistency and transparency in decision-making. Regarding major strategic works that are in the remit of An Bord Pleanála, is it a good idea that there be no input from local authorities with their local knowledge? What is An Bord Pleanála's engagement with local authorities regarding major schemes? Would An Bord Pleanála take on board the feeling of the local community and the local authority? Could Ms Kelly tell how the committee how An Bord Pleanála engages with elected Members such as ourselves regarding major infrastructural issues that might arise regarding openness, consistency and transparency? Perhaps it is my own fault but I feel there is a lack of communication, to put it mildly. How many times have we seen reports that planning permission had been granted or refused by a local authority but that An Bord Pleanála overturned that decision?

How do we explain to the public that the inspector has decided a project should not proceed but the board has allowed it to proceed or vice versa?

What is the board's definition of "foreshore"? We hear about onshore and offshore but where does foreshore begin and end?