Mr. Tom Parlon:

Motorways are key. The Government has promised that a motorway will be constructed between Cork and Limerick and given a commitment to provide funding for its design and planning. That is a factor.

As regards big infrastructure plans, the country's reputation has been damaged by the Athenry issue and other big players may now think twice about deciding to spend €1 billion or $1 billion here. All of the big foreign direct investment infrastructure should be included.

We are being told that the fast-tracking of developments of more than 100 housing units will halve planning time, but that will involve a reduction from two and a half years to a little over a year, which is still far too slow and will put pressure on An Bord Pleanála and its resources. Local authorities will continue to have a role. Whatever about efficiencies, resources must be committed to ensure success. A proper pre-planning meeting on any issue, be it for a €1 billion data centre or a private house, ensures one gets to know the parameters and what one should do, which is a wonderful help. People very often have to wait between three and six months for a pre-planning meeting, which I assume is a resource issue. Many practical things could be done.