Mr. Paul Hogan:

We have looked for information on staffing and what the requirement will be. As things stand, there is, perhaps, an underestimated or unrecognised burden on local government officials in regard to the SHD process because there is the pre-planning stage that happens locally and then tracking the development into An Bord Pleanála and having to attend meetings there. While the final decision does not rest with local government staff, there is a lot of work, including much upfront work, to do. Certainly, former colleagues and officials in various authorities have said that. There is a need, across the board, for planning resources to be looked at in any event. I am sure it will be confirmed by the CCMA that this is happening.

In regard to vacant sites, we are looking at trying to link zoning and the capacity of servicing to taxation. It is something of a use-it-or-lose-it situation but, obviously, we have to iron out all the issues to ensure what is there is reasonable and proportionate and can give rise to the levels of activation we need to see. If someone has a zoned site that is serviced for development, what is the reasonable period for him or her not to do anything with it? Clearly, there are market ups and downs but after a certain point of time, it seems inefficient to have it vacant and it needs to get moving.

The Deputy's last question was on public consultation.