Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Recently, representatives from An Bord Pleanála appeared before this committee. Its chairman, Mr. Dave Walsh, informed us that its 2020 legal fees reached €8.5 million. I would have assumed on the basis that fewer houses were built and fewer applications were received that this figure would have been less than that for 2019, but it was actually 60% more. The board is losing 70% of the cases that are judicially reviewed. The courts are having to interpret ministerial guidelines because it seems that our planning policy lacks clarity. Most court decisions are being made on the basis of a misinterpretation of the ministerial guidelines by one or other department. What has Mr. Doyle, as the relevant Secretary General, done to try to bring these issues together? They are culminating in choking the supply of housing. We will never get rid of or lessen our HAP dependency or lower rents if we do not increase supply. What measures has the Department taken?