Mr. Paul Hogan:

I worked as a planner in Meath in the late 1990s. Fire regulations and fire requirements are there for important reasons. I recall an example of a fire in an apartment unit above a shop where several children were, thankfully, pulled out alive. They had been sleeping in a room that was off a room that was unregulated. I recall the fire officers being extremely agitated at this and concerned that it might have been granted planning permission inadvertently. Thankfully, it had not been.

These sorts of decision have consequences and cannot necessarily be made under pressure and over a counter with a range of other decisions and people in a queue. It does not work like that. These are very important issues. I would urge a little perspective.