Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

We are not saying that An Bord Pleanála cannot disagree with the inspector. We are arguing that the board should identify clearly the points of disagreement or how the case would be argued.

Taking for example the incinerator in Carranstown, there were approximately 20 professional people representing Indaver at the relevant oral hearing. A large number from the general public made their own cogent arguments against the incinerator. The inspector sat there for four or five days and then the board appointed an individual member to look at the inspector's report.

The problem is that the credibility of the institution suffers when we do not know exactly what the points of disagreement were and when the board states the reason for doing it is that it is Government policy. If that is the case, that is fine but they should also recite the other arguments so that we can know that they were listened to. It is not required that the individual who represents the board when it examines the situation should state everything that he or she has read.

See this speech in context