Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Unfortunately, that will be a little bit late. I hope I will still want it at that stage.

The Bill states that the board will meet both the developer and the objector, which is important. Currently, the pre-planning concept is not working well. As our pre-planning situation has evolved, it now takes longer than the planning process itself and one can receive bland answers. I have advised people who have come to me recently not to bother with the pre-planning process because it is a waste of time and one gets an inconclusive result. It is important for the board to meet the developer and the objector, however. There is nothing wrong with an authority meeting a developer. Owing to difficulties in recent times, a mystique has developed and people say something must be wrong if officials meet developers. When people try to get a project up and running, however, they must know the parameters within which they can work. Equally, those opposed to a project should have an opportunity to voice their concerns. I respect the right of every citizen to have his or her say in objecting to something.

Things could impact upon someone that I might feel would not necessarily impact upon me, or vice versa. It may be no harm for objectors to state whether they have a vested interest or various prejudices. I realise that no one likes to disclose their personal dealings or status. It might be no harm to do so, however, because we often encounter a strong pressure group that may be orchestrated by a few people with a strong vested interest. Their interest may not be in the common good, although they are perfectly entitled to defend it. If politicians and developers are upfront, the people who will take a court process or meet the authority should have to outline any conflict of interest — that may be a strong term to use — or vested interest. I am not trying to nail them to the wall. It is just that everybody needs to be on an equal footing.

The Bill refers to a court seeking an undertaking for damages. My colleague, Deputy O'Dowd, expressed some reservations about this but I think there is some merit in this proposal. I would like to see balance but I do not like the concept of people going to court at every hand's turn on the basis that they will get away with it because it is for the common good. They may gain some notoriety but, ultimately, the public will have to pick up the bill. The proposal is not a bad idea, but we do not want to make it prohibitive for someone to take court action if he or she needs to do so.

The Minister said that we have spent €24 billion since 2000 on economic and social infrastructure. I assume that includes grants for child care.

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