Mr. P.J. McCarthy:

Answering Deputy Browne's question specifically, I have been involved in a number of planning processes with AD developers and advising around the location and the approach. Pre-planning is absolutely key. The engagement and consultation with local residents and communities has been very beneficial in those projects which we have provided some guidance on. Planning permission has gone relatively smoothly. However, the time is invested up front in engaging with the local community, presenting the site layout and 3D photo montage and explaining to people and giving them the time. It is important that the public consultation is done on time and that there is an opportunity to follow on with questions thereafter.

There are some very good examples of how that has worked really well and we would promote, with any AD developer, the need to give that pre-consultation and public community engagement. It has genuinely paid dividends to a number of those projects. However, in cases where projects have gone through local observations and they are due for decision, and somebody from the suburbs of Dublin city objects to that project in rural Ireland, the merit of that has to be questioned.