Mr. Peter Walsh:

With regard to Blake's Corner, it is slightly worse than the Deputy recounted. The oral hearing was on 10 and 11 May last year and a decision is awaited. There is nothing we can do in terms of engagement with An Bord Pleanála. The planning process is sacrosanct and we are absolutely careful not to interfere with it in any way so as not to damage the process or make it vulnerable. We do not, nor will we, make any contact with An Bord Pleanála while it is deliberating on a project. All we can do is prepare the project as best we can with the local authority, fund it to prepare the documents as best it can and give An Bord Pleanála the best opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the proposed development. We do not know what constraints and difficulties An Bord Pleanála is operating under so I do not want to be party to any criticism of An Bord Pleanála today. It is increasingly difficult for the board to perform the level of scrutiny that is expected and required of it under European directives. I do not wish to imply that there is any fault being suggested, but there may well be a constraint issue. I hope that answers the question about Blake's Corner. It is fair to say we will progress it as fast as the planning process will allow.