Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When the officials were reviewing the legislation, it was noted that it is provided for under the existing development Act. We are doing it for the sake of consistency. A situation may arise at planning level. If you were dealing with planning in the past, you might have been looking for a voluntary extension of time or whatever. There may be circumstances, in terms of good planning whereby a some more time might be required to consider an application. That flexibility will be allowed, but only with the consent of the applicant and only in limited circumstances. I really feel it would not apply in all circumstances because local authorities are going to be engaged. Some 89% of applications are normally dealt with through the local authorities in any event. It was provided for under the existing legislation in order to provide the degree of flexibility to which I refer.

It is also to prevent a default situation where certain circumstances arise in practice. In the context of planning, the Deputy will know that in the past that small bit of extra time may have brought about a more rounded or better decision. It is to give that extra bit of flexibility consistent with what is in the existing Act.