Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy. The reality is we are stuck with this for a further 15 months. If we could have shortened it, we should have. Enough people said this and we raised a number of concerns about it. This is the regime that we must deal with now, but much damage could be done. This issue is a priority. The regime is meant to finish in 15 months' time, but the Chairman can bet his bottom dollar that there will be resistance to that. As Deputy Duffy stated concerning national, regional and local plans, people across the country are frustrated and cannot understand the situation.

It would be important to have the board appear before us. Its chairman has attended previously and we have had good sessions with him. We would need a great deal of time with him, given that every time he has attended, he has run out of time. There is considerable engagement on matters relating to An Bord Pleanála. It would be great if we could have the chairman attend early. With the agreement of the committee, we could prioritise this issue. It is a matter of serious concern around the country.