Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a problem with that proposal. It makes sense that one would have an initial consultation with the planning authority. That generally happens in any event. If people are complaining about the length of time that it takes, it is clearly because staff and resources are an issue in all the local authorities. The number of planners, architects and directors of services has been cut systematically. If the Minister is going to implement something like this, he must ensure the provision of staff who would be able to facilitate it.