Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is ironic that An Bord Pleanála makes the call but it acts in accordance with the policy of the TII. I raise the issue in the context of farmers' sons that have been refused planning permission along a national primary route or a national secondary route because of TII policy. An Bord Pleanála can overturn a local authority's decision. Why does the TII not have the same policy approach in the context of services based on it being for the good of rural economies, namely, focusing on online service stations? That is the irony. The TII is speaking from both sides of its mouth. It is pointing the finger of blame at An Bord Pleanála but at the same time it can tell it that no planning permission should be allowed for additional family members into a farmer's yard. I accept that I have become a little side-tracked but when a farmer's son applies for planning, having him on site would reduce traffic flow from the farm onto the road.