Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Gilvarry mentioned a bulletin relating to Civil Service productivity. He may not wish to comment before this committee, but he will have to look at specific matters like what is happening currently with the forestry sections. We have put in extra resources in the past year and yet the time it takes to complete the licensing process is lengthening. We are not even dealing with the number of applications coming in. We have a significant problem and the NCPC should look at it in considering the broader topic of climate change.

Mr. Gilvarry spoke about the PIAB and trying to expand its use and so forth. Has the NCPC looked at any increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, attachment claims to soft-tissue injuries? I believe this is something that must be examined in the context of further legal reforms. We cannot introduce legislation to try to cap awards and then have it circumvented by other attachments bringing them back into the Circuit Court and High Court.