Niall Blaney (Donegal North East, IND-FF)

I thank Deputy Brady for sharing time. I sympathise with him in respect of the difficulties he faces with the M3 because we face similar difficulties with the N2 and the N2-A5. One way in which the process could be fast-tracked is that when the Bill is enacted, we could collectively promote the development of a motorway somewhere in between both roads that would take the traffic from the N2 and N3. That could represent the way forward. It may be an issue for another day but it is worth considering.

I welcome the Bill. All associated with it are to be praised for bringing it into being. I do not think that any Member is unaware of the difficulties experienced in the past with infrastructural projects. We all experience them in our constituencies. Problems have occurred with electricity supplies in parts of County Donegal.

Some of my comments may be considered over the top. I have difficulties with the powers allocated to the board of An Taisce, some of which relate to local planning issues but which should be tackled in the context of the Bill. Some members of An Taisce are in a position to abuse their authority in regard not only to infrastructural projects but also to local planning issues. Somebody will have to take the bull by the horns in regard to An Taisce. I will return to this matter in due course.

I welcome the inclusion of the views of county councillors. We have heard a great deal about the removal of powers from county councillors. It is only right that the views of county councillors are recognised and that they are allowed to make recommendations to An Bord Pleanála because nobody knows more about views on the ground than they do. We do not make sufficient use of local authority members. I am glad the Minister has taken this step.

I am also pleased with section 9, which deals with rogue developers. Everyone here recognises the importance of developers in our current economic boom. Unfortunately, we must also deal with rogue developers who were, possibly, not dealt with in the past. I can point to developments in my county of Donegal where non-compliance is evident. This involves matters such as linking lighting in housing estates to houses rather than linking it up properly. It is only right that where developments are not put in place in accordance with planning permission, other planning permissions sought by that developer should be withheld until the planning permission and conditions relating to other estates on which they are working are complied with.

I also favour the section on community gain. It is only right that where a community could, or will, be put out by a development, An Bord Pleanála can make recommendations whereby a community gain can be obtained. Various Deputies have referred to rail and motorway projects. I look forward to the day we can discuss rail services and a motorway in Donegal. I hope these provisions will be included in the new national development plan, which is just around the corner. The Bill will be very helpful in respect of this.

The Minister has done a good job on this Bill. However, I would like to see him take the next step and introduce a Bill which would deal with local planning issues. I spoke earlier about the undemocratic voice of An Taisce, which has too much influence on An Bord Pleanála. I am aware that An Bord Pleanála will always refer to their statistics and that it heeds so many of An Taisce's objections but we can never obtain any figures relating to these objections. All or most of the cases in Donegal are being overruled. We must bring forward a Bill which will not allow An Taisce to appeal decisions to An Bord Pleanála. An Taisce is abusing its powers at the moment and should only be allowed to make recommendations to the board. I look forward to the day when An Taisce is stripped of its right to make objections to An Bord Pleanála and may raise the issue in this House as often as necessary. I welcome the Bill and look forward to its passing.

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