Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)

The witnesses are very welcome. This committee is tasked with ensuring we can deliver critical national infrastructure faster and better. Strategic infrastructure development comes under remit and responsibilities of An Coimisiún Pleanála. I ask Mr. Mullen to give us examples of how the planning process has hindered specific projects. I understand he is happy enough with An Coimisiún Pleanála's staffing at the moment. Our judicial system is certainly not properly staffed. I know that some cases have to go to judicial review. Even though they might have legal experts telling them that they are confident they will get the planning, they are still left to wait for 12 months for a judicial review. Is there anything we, as legislators, can do to help to remove those barriers?

The Heather Hill judgment found that An Coimisiún Pleanála cannot get legal costs back if the judicial review is on environmental grounds. What impact does that have on people taking judicial review cases related to the environment if An Coimisiún Pleanála does not get its legal costs but the other party does? Is there any chance that in some cases the litigants might be using the environment to appeal to ensure they are not faced with any financial repercussions? How could we address that and make sure it does not happen?