Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

This Bill has been produced after the proposals were before the Cabinet for three or four years. We heard that the Bill was imminent and that the new strategic infrastructure board was about to be announced in 2003, but both disappeared. There are internal divisions within the Cabinet and, while the members consulted and fought among themselves, they did not put the heads of the Bill out to public consultation. Unlike the Planning and Development Act 2000, a more effective Act, no consultation or review took place. We were aware of the date for Committee Stage before the date for Second Stage had been set, and I am concerned that this debate may be truncated tomorrow in favour of some other Bill. I will oppose a proposal to the effect that this debate on Second Stage will not continue after 1.30 p.m. tomorrow.

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