Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not to not grant it. It is stating that for non-material works it is defaulting to grant an extension to non-material works. In response to the point the Deputy is putting, if he came to Fingal County Council and asked for an extension of permission on a non-material basis and said that he wanted two years, the planning authority would assess that. The planning authority does not just say, "There is your two years". This is what I am saying. Section 135 guides section 136.

Amendment No. 729 to section 136(2) provides that, "Where the duration of a permission is extended under this Chapter, the period of the extension shall be less than or equal to the duration of the permission being extended.”."

That gives the discretion to the local authorities. That is also the case with amendment No. 729, which further clarifies it. I believe we have agreed amendment No. 729.