Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

Deputy Ryan will have the opportunity to make his contribution shortly. The point I am trying to make relates to operations under the Department at that early stage when the Shell company was allowed engage in a self-monitoring process. I mention this because I welcome the decision in the Bill to move that type of consent project that operated under the Department. It is important to have the one-stop shop to deal with projects of this nature to ensure this situation is not repeated. For the process to work, people must have confidence in it. If a report issues from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, one must have some confidence in the process that generates the particular approach. I was disappointed at the time that self-monitoring was allowed in such a large strategic project. I hope that the type of mistakes made on this project will be sorted out under this Bill.

I note that three categories of infrastructure projects will be covered in the Bill. I welcome the consultation process provided for in section 37(b). The dual approach where one had to go through the local authority and then to An Bord Pleanála involved duplication and prolonged the planning process. Everybody knew an application would end up with An Bord Pleanála so it might as well have gone straight to it. There is no point in an application going on for a number of years and then falling at the last hurdle while nobody knows what is happening up to then. Many of the problems of the various stakeholders in local communities could be ironed out at the early stages by the consultation process and I welcome its inclusion.

I do not worry about the independence of An Bord Pleanála. If anything, I have been annoyed in the past by how almost untouchable the board is. Nobody understands how it operates with regard to making decisions.

I want to mention the role of councillors. I compliment the Minister and, having been a councillor for seven years, welcome the fact that the opinions of councillors will be taken into consideration. In the past officials listened to councillors with one ear without taking any heed of their input, despite the fact they are the democratically elected representatives of the local people.

There are other matters I would like to mention but my time has concluded. I hope the Bill has a speedy passage through the House. I am happy to support it.

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