John Carty (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The process is on track, despite what Deputy Timmins might think.

It is important that foreign companies willing to invest especially in more rural areas have access to proper roads, railways, water and sewerage and electricity. Bottlenecks in the planning process have for too long delayed projects and, in the final analysis, contributed to the escalating cost of implementation.

l welcome the provision in the Bill for a single approval for electricity transmission lines. The lack of sufficient electricity supply has always been a problem in rural Ireland and without the availability of a three phase supply smaller industries suitable for towns and villages in counties Iike Mayo find it difficult to get off the ground. The development of other necessary infrastructural facilities such as water and sewerage, roads, railways and airports should not be delayed by poor planning procedure and this Bill provides the framework whereby all such projects will proceed through planning in an expeditious and transparent manner.

When delivering strategic infrastructure it is very important local people have the right to express their views and to have their grievances taken on board. I am pleased the Bill allows a role for local authority councillors to express their views on applications made under the proposed strategic consent process. This is a positive development for local democracy as it establishes for the first time a specific right and responsibility in law to allow the views of local authority members to be made known, recorded and sent to the strategic infrastructure division of An Bord Pleanála.

For far too long objectors to projects have appeared from nowhere at the last minute to file vexatious objections to planning permission for major projects. In some instances these objections are for no apparent reason other than to cause massive disruption and impose excessive costs on the promoters and, ultimately, the taxpayer. I welcome the fact that the Bill seeks to deal with the problem of people who have sought to subvert the planning process in pursuit of their own agendas. While no one should be denied the right to object or protest about such matters, the system must be balanced. Due regard should be given to these rights, but objections should be adjudicated upon speedily in order that the future of projects can be decided as quickly as possible.

The Bill will allow for a more focused approach to planning issues in respect of strategic infrastructure and provide a better service for all involved in the promotion of such projects. This will take place through a single stage process of approval for projects, a rigorous assessment of all projects against sustainability and environmental criteria, full public consultation, including a statutory right for councillors to be heard, as well as certainty in regard to timeframes and costs. The Bill strikes the correct balance between the individual's rights and the broader public and national interest. I congratulate the Minister on bringing the legislation before the House.

Yesterday evening, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of Knock Airport which has an annual passenger throughput of 650,000. As the Acting Chairman, Deputy Cowley, is well aware, if planning permission were sought for a new airport, the number of objections to ensue would be such as to prevent any such project from proceeding. Common sense must prevail with regard to the development of rural areas.

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