Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to go back to the issues that I raised earlier. I am conscious that our guests have to keep their responses short because of the time constraint.

The one reccurring theme is resources. The real issue is the blockage in the system with An Bord Pleanála with more than 70,000 units before it. We had the board in here clearly talking about the need for resources last week. There was no doubt about it. The board's representatives set out they need more resources, including manpower.

I touched on the issues of fees and planning fees. The witnesses represent investors, the industry and the construction sector. Do they see scope and a willingness to see an increase in fees in some way to oil up the An Bord Pleanála process in terms of its resources?

It has a mandate. It has indicated it needs a substantial increase in resources. I want to hear from the witnesses, who represent the industry, whether the industry could take it. How can the industry, which is in business to make money and deliver houses, rise to the challenge? The organisations before us are not in business for nothing; we all respect that or at least I do. Will they rise to the challenge? What can they bring to the table here for those who are listening in? Construction is a multibillion euro industry that exists to make money and deliver houses. It is not a charity and I do not expect it to be one. How can it make a positive contribution to the resources of An Bord Pleanála?

On the issue around protected structures in section 153, which IIP raised in its submission, if it cannot do so today, I ask IIP to send the committee a note on that afterwards. I think I saw Ms Doyle nodding her head.

To return to my question, what message can the industry leave the committee today in terms of additional resources or support for resources to loosen up and get the whole thing moving in terms of planning?