Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses from An Bord Pleanála for coming today. I want to look a bit ahead and to focus on An Bord Pleanála's work plan, its staffing arrangements to date and how it coped with Covid. Following Covid, one of the big developments is new capital investment in the country, especially with the increased capital projects in the national development plan, NDP, for example. Last night the Dáil voted through the national marine planning framework, which involves substantial capital development and infrastructural development that is needed post Covid to drive the State forward. An Bord Pleanála will play a big part in that. What has been its experience so far with staffing and resources? How can we have confidence that it will be equipped to deal with these projects efficiently? If Mr. Walsh does not mind my asking, where does he see difficulties?