Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On the point about the wording as to why an applicant would consent to an extension, my read of what the Minister of State has said is that it could be in the applicant's interest to consent to an extension because it could result in a decision that would be more favourable to the applicant. If the planning authority asks if the applicant will consent to an extension and the applicant feels if he or she does not, it might entail a refusal, is that really the consent of the applicant or does the applicant feel he or she does not have many options? Therefore, if that is the way, why is it being constructed in this way? Is it due to a lack of alternative ways of constructing exceptional circumstances?