Mr. Peter Mullan:

I am delighted to answer this question because it is a good opportunity for us to set out our stall on it. The first point is to understand the breakdown of the organisation into normal planning appeals, accounting for 70% of decisions, and 30% for infrastructure. There is no question of any of the infrastructure projects falling in behind normal planning appeals. They are separate teams. On the infrastructure side, there are approximately 30 inspectors plus management. There is a transport and waste team, a renewables and electricity team and a marine team. Infrastructure projects that come into those are generally dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis and they are dealt with by those respective teams. There is a small backlog but the director of planning on that side of the house will organise the workloads for that.

As we indicated, in 2023 a very significant backlog of normal planning appeals developed. Generally speaking, older files were dealt with first. However, last year, we decided we needed to prioritise certain categories of work. We have already indicated that large-scale residential developments of houses would be dealt with as a priority. SHD projects already in the system will be dealt with as a priority. Through engagement with various stakeholders, including the building industry, we look at housing schemes with more than 30 housing units. Again, they have been prioritised. Obviously, it is not possible to have housing without critical social infrastructure like schools and other things like that. We prioritise those as well as other infrastructure, such as water and electricity projects. I have already spoken about the land activation measures.

Particularly last year, we departed from the chronological line and have split it into two. As I have made very clear, this year we are endeavouring to meet the statutory timeline in 85% or more of cases lodged in 2025. For a case lodged in 2025 which is expected to be dealt with in 18 weeks, we hope people will get a decision within that time. I think someone called me out for using words like "hopeful" and "maybe". Anybody who promises 100% compliance is somewhat foolish. As an organisation, we are committed to meeting those timelines.