Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note the comments made by the Chair regarding the issue of the planning notice being a matter for regulation. I am happy to explore that with the Department offline. Would the Department consider tabling an amendment which, similar to all the other issues we have discussed, is about trying to give people an opportunity to have an input at the earliest possible point? People are often not aware a planning application has been made because the site notice is displayed on a road immediately behind them, which they may have no reason to travel along. Often in a housing development, an extension or change to the house will require planning. The site notice is placed in the front garden and the home immediately behind it does not have easy sight of that notice. A number of different residents' groups have suggested that where a planning application is being made, the applicant should be required to notify the landowners immediately adjoining the site. I am happy to work with the Department, perhaps on an amendment or a change to regulations. It seems reasonable that the applicant would have to notify the landowners immediately adjoining his or her site. It is also a sensible proposal as the only opportunity would be for them to join another party appealing it and these things are better dealt with at an early stage. Would the officials take that away and consider bringing forward a change in regulation or amendment?