Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not trying to convince the Minister regarding the amendment. All I will say is that the delay is caused by two factors – the scanning of the documentation, as Deputy McAuliffe rightly outlined, and verification. There still an issue around delayed access to files and, as a result, there is a more limited time period for the public to engage. I hear what the Minister is saying in that the roll-out of the e-planning system will help. However, if a local authority has many planning applications in and if, for example, it faces a challenged in the context of staff recruitment – there are plenty of those throughout the county – then verification could also be a reason for delays. I hear what the Minister is saying on the amendments, but I still think there is a point at the heart of amendment No. 649 that needs addressed above and beyond or in parallel to e-planning. I ask the Minister to consider that further with his officials.