Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for attending and giving their presentation. My first point relates to the serious allegations regarding the planning process within An Bord Pleanála. As a result, a senior counsel has been appointed and 200 planning applications are being investigated. I am sure our guests can imagine the significant delays that some, if not all, of these applications face and the cost implications that could arise. This is not the first time there have been serious issues with planning in this State. It is very concerning. Some of the sites are in my constituency, Cork North-Central, and while I will not discuss them, the issue has been raised with me both locally and nationally.

My questions relate to the preventions in these reforms. Will they protect against possible conflicts of interest? Is there an intention to bring forward separate reform that will ensure transparency and accountability in the planning process?