Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister will be aware that something like MetroLink would be covered under section 164(3)(b) because a project of that kind would surely be a Chapter 4 application or development. In terms of Deputy Bacik's amendments, therefore, they do not interfere with those sorts of large-scale projects.

Turning to section 164(3)(a), it does not specify. I refer to where it is possible for an applicant to seek a permission for up to ten years or for a planning authority, at its own discretion, to grant a permission for up to ten years. We must remember that an extension of permission for a further ten years can be granted as well, which allows for a full 20 years overall. Whatever type of planning application we are talking about, 20 years is a long period of time. Incidentally, for a project like MetroLink, I refer to a project like that having perhaps more than ten years, including, potentially, another extension. I totally appreciate that large-scale infrastructure takes a few years to be built out, but we do not want to see the likes of MetroLink taking more than ten years after planning permission was secured to be completed. We want to see projects like that built out in a timely fashion.

On 164(3)(a), then, are there any safeguards, regulations, conditions or definitions around this or is it just the wording we have here? Is it entirely discretionary in its application? Could this be applied in very different ways around the country by different planning authorities in different-sized projects or is there anything that informs this section? I refer to having ten years and then perhaps a further extension of ten years as well.