Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Dr.Kelly has made the point that there will be no third party appeals in the fast-tracking process. I cannot say that enough. If this provision goes through, the board will be facilitating the Government in fast-tracking housing developments without third party involvement. Will Dr. Kelly clarify this?

An Bord Pleanála expressed a valid concern about strategic development zones. It stated clarity was needed on who was responsible for the funding and delivery of the infrastructure, as well as the economic viability of the scheme that needed to be considered at the outset. I am familiar with two strategic development zones which have presented this problem. The board is dealing with strategic development zones. In some cases, we have a local authority acting as the agent or promoter of a zone. There needs to be greater clarity in this regard. An Bord Pleanála has identified the problem, but I have not quite heard what it is suggesting in this regard. Will it provide more detail?

Who will enforce the decisions of the board? We know from local authorities all over the country that it does not get involved in the enforcement of its decisions at local authority planning level. It makes decisions but washes its hands of enforcing them. In this case, it will be totally responsible for the fast-tracking process. Applications will go directly to it and it will decide on them. Is it committed to enforcing its own decisions? I believe it should be. I do not believe anyone should make a decision who does not have the power, tenacity and commitment to enforce it.

Who appoints the board? Is it all political?

I seek clarity on who appoints this board. How transparent is the appointments process of the board Dr. Kelly works with? Will she elaborate on the way she interfaces with that appointments structure in terms of the members? How involved is the Minister of the day in the appointment of this board? That is another area that may need reform. Dr. Kelly should share her experience in terms of the way the members of the current board were appointed.