Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish to outline that all sections of the Act were reviewed by the Attorney General and the legal advisers as part of the review of the planning legislation and the preparation of this Bill, and certainly this section was as well. To Deputy O’Callaghan’s point, each of the applicants should be afforded due process. We are not trumping one over the other - either the applicant or the developer. This is a matter for enforcement and building controls, and they need to be adequately resourced in that regard.

Deputy Ó Broin raised some examples.

I am not in the position to comment on particular applications. This has been reviewed and legally tested. Its inclusion is very important to protect the rights of those who want to make planning applications. It also strikes a balance between local authority and An Bord Pleanála.