Mr. Michael Nolan:

I will respond to Deputy O'Keeffe's questions. Regarding offline service areas, there is potential to take away business from existing facilities. One of the reasons we do online service areas is that it does not interfere with or take away business from existing facilities and towns. Offline service areas go through the same planning regime with An Bord Pleanála as any other development. Local authorities assess the impact and whether they are in accordance with local area plans, zoning requirements and the proper planning and development of an area. It has happened that An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for service areas. One example is in near Urlingford where it said it would suck business out of Urlingford. There are occasions when the local authority gives permission but An Bord Pleanála recognises that there would be an impact on businesses and facilities in local towns. The online service areas that have been developed by TII are online and one cannot get at them from local road networks so they are not in direct conflict with local towns and facilities. However, the Deputy has raised a fair point.