Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

In what manner will the ten-week consultation process take place? What input will local authority members have in the area where planning permission is sought on the fast-track, critical infrastructure model through An Bord Pleanála? Would an incinerator be considered critical infrastructure and, if so, would there be any opportunity to speak on it during the consultation process? As Deputy Gilmore has said, the terms of reference are so broad that anything that contributes to the national spatial strategy can be considered as critical infrastructure. That almost includes any development within a local authority area and means it would go directly to An Bord Pleanála. Before the application is made, there will be the equivalent of a pre-planning meeting with the proposed developers and the board. I presume that will, or should, iron out the attitude of the board one way or the other towards an application. After that, it becomes a formality. After the pre-planning meeting and the application is lodged with An Bord Pleanála, what opportunity will anybody, particularly members of a local authority or the general public, have to make an input or in any way influence An Bord Pleanála's decision on any application under the fast-track, critical infrastructure system?

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