Mr. Paul Hyde:

On the technical issue around websites, the board agrees with the Senator that all of that information should be on a centralised website. We are working to provide that. We are in the middle of an ICT transformation process and a new portal and website are under development. We hope to have that in place towards the end of next year.

On requests for further information, the whole purpose of the SHD was to remove delay and, as the Senator stated, to deliver on Rebuilding Ireland.

We feel we have removed that delay and provided a certainty for applicants and the public in the context of delivery time. We have held oral hearings on a number of occasions, including in two cases in respect of which certain technical issues could be addressed. Otherwise, the quality and standard of the applications coming into us has meant that there has been no requirement for further information, and we do not think it would be beneficial.

Senator Boyhan made a point about An Bord Pleanála being the judge and jury. Strategic infrastructure has been in place since 2007. This has allowed for direct applications to the board in respect of strategic infrastructure. The temporary emergency legislation which has been introduced for strategic housing is just that, namely, it is temporary. This legislation is not meant to disenfranchise anyone, rather it is designed to allow for speedier delivery. There are two stages to the process, namely, the pre-application and application stages. The planning authority has ample opportunity at the pre-application stage to get its issues on the agenda for input.