James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree, Chairman, but that has effectively been done. A new planning court was launched earlier this year. To my knowledge, Mr. Justice Humphreys, Mr. Justice Simons and another judge are assigned to that. Therefore, there are three judges sitting in that division. The Dublin Airport cap that we discussed at the start of the meeting is a good example of an application that was made perhaps six weeks ago and, certainly, the first stage of it was heard yesterday. I would be familiar in my professional work prior to my current role of other cases that would have progressed with some alacrity when it was needed. Courts are responsive and live in the real world as well. If an argument is made to a judge that a particular item is of greater urgency, it usually gets treated that way and afforded that time. We are seeing that already. I will give the assurances to the Chairman and the watching public that a planning court was established earlier this year. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, attended the opening of it along with some colleagues on the day. I think the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, may have been present as well. That has been up and running now for about six months.