Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On that, I agree with the two previous speakers. The reality here is that the judicial review process is about the only thing keeping our so-called professional planners, everyone from the regulator right down to the town planner, in line. The more successful judicial reviews we have should highlight to the Department the lack of understanding of the law. It is as simple as that. We should be doing continuous professional development for these individuals. That should be brought in by means of legislation. That is where our money is going, and it is not money well spent. If we were to turn what we are paying out in legal fees, not just for An Bord Pleanála but in every Department, to planning and housing, we would actually have a competent set of planners. However, given the amount of legislation that goes through a planning department, be it Irish, EU or whatever else, there is no suggestion that they have to actually upgrade and upskill at any stage, and that is why we have continuous judicial reviews.