Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be as brief as possible. All my questions relate to current expenditure. With regard to local government and subhead C5 on franchises, we are meant to be spending €1,465 million and we have only spent €58 million. What are the franchises in the first place? Exactly what is this expenditure? How come we have spent only €58 million?

The next area is with regard to planning under subhead E3 and An Bord Pleanála. We see a significant increase in the operational costs of An Bord Pleanála. Will the Minister explain why we are seeing this increase? Is it because of the new fast-track planning process in place? It may be a debate for another day, but how is the fast-track planning process working? I am led to believe there is a shortage of staff.

With regard to subhead E4, the planning tribunal, there is a massive overrun of €6 million. We have put down €3.745 billion and we have already spent €9.576 billion. What exactly is that overspend with regard to the planning tribunal?

Will the Minister give me an update on subhead E10 and the development contribution rebate of €371 million. Nothing has been spent so far. What is the update on this?