Mr. David Walsh:

I take the Senator's point. It is a matter to be dealt with in the regulations. It comes back to the broader issue of a root and branch review, in which perhaps the full cost to local authorities, as well as the board, needs to be looked at in terms of what is required to process applications.

The Senator also referenced the four-stage approval process for funding. The process to obtain planning permission for a development is conducted under Part VIII. It is being addressed and streamlined within the scheme of the Bill.