Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am reading from section 12(8)(d) on page 55, which states:

if, not later than 8 weeks from the date on which the planning authority received the application, the planning authority notifies the applicant in writing that for exceptional reasons stated in the notification it is not in a position to comply with paragraph (a) within the period specified in that paragraph, and where the planning authority so notifies the applicant, it shall—

(i) make a decision in relation to an application under this section

That provides for the planning authority to extend that eight-week period. A separate question was raised about the staffing of local authorities. Additional staff have been provided across all of our local authorities. That process is continuing in the local government sector this year to ensure sufficient numbers of planning staff in our local government system.