Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

It is not a question of trying my patience, but of simple courtesy and good manners.

If the board differentiates from the decision of the inspector or rejects its decision, it should not be decried. The inverse is that the board must always accept the views of the inspector. I am not arguing that Deputies stated this. This would mean the board has no place at all, and it would not be required. If the board was simply to sign up for the inspector's views, there is no need to have it. Deputies should be careful in developing such an hypothesis.

A second point I would draw Members' attention to is section 34(10)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. It clearly specifies that where the board makes a distinction and takes a different view from the inspector, recording is required as to the basis of the distinction. That is provided for in law as it stands.

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