Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know that. I do not want to get into a confrontation here, but I am aware of instances throughout the State that have been relayed to me whereby land was identified and permission was granted some years ago but where development has not ensued. This is even with the improvements in the stages of the planning process going from eight to four. I need to see, and it is right and appropriate that the public can see, the land at hand in each local authority in recent years. Was this land put to use and if not then why not? I respect and acknowledge that a high percentage of the Minister's focus should be on the future. That is his duty and responsibility and I do not doubt this. Somebody, however, has to account for the past number of years. I simply want to ascertain the level of expectation that is on the Minister's shoulders. I am not trying to hang the Minister, I am trying to help him. The public needs to be aware of where we are coming from, where we need to go and how things can be improved. If the Minister tells me, with the best will in the world, that there have been improvements and this is the information he is receiving, then I am afraid that I do not see it. I wish that I did. I acknowledge that there have been some improvements. In the wider scheme of things, however, Deputies are speaking with people throughout the State who do not see development by local authorities in their communities. That is what I would measure success by. I hope this changes.