Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with much of what the Deputy said. Starting with the public spending code, the review of the national development plan, NDP, itself included a significant chapter that recognised that we had created in our public spending code processes too complex a system and one with too many layers. It might perhaps be argued that we are fighting the last war in the sense that, having been through the financial crash, there was a need for tight management of public finances, but incorrectly, we saw public capital expenditure fall behind. We are now playing catch-up in this regard in respect of housing, transport, energy and water. I agree with the Deputy as well that our processes are not quick enough. Our public spending code is overelaborate and complicated. Similarly, in our planning system, there has, in truth, been a lack of resources for An Bord Pleanála. This was based on concerns regarding budgetary pressures, etc. Additionally, and unluckily, some once-off difficulties within the board now see it playing catch up and having a backlog to deal with. It is true this is really impacting us in transport. This situation is being rectified. There is a full board of 15 in An Bord Pleanála now. There has also been a change in work practices and increased staff so that it is possible for us to catch up.

If I were to pick out examples of projects we need to get through planning quickly, I think the Cork metropolitan rail development would stand out first because, potentially, this undertaking would draw down European funding. It is therefore right that this project would be commenced. It is also vital for regional development that is better balanced. Equally, this project is ready to go and it is not going to take long. We can build it quickly. The Deputy mentioned Dublin Airport. The full planning application for the MetroLink project, all 10,000 pages of it, is in. I would say it is the most detailed application ever made in the history of this State for any project. I am confident about the quality of work and the quality of our officials. I do not see this as being the restricting factor. We do need to speed up in our planning processes.

We are in government, so we have the responsibility here. I believe the draft planning legislation is going to be very beneficial. No matter what way we look at it, our planning system is slow. It is not dysfunctional, but it is not fast. Increasingly, there is a cost to this being the case, in respect of housing, energy and transport. It is, therefore, important we get this legislation delivered.