Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I understand the reason the Minister of State has responded in this manner. However, this is the only intervention instrument available to us. The Minister of State indicated that when the boards are established and powers are conferred on them he will make a public and formal request that one of the things they will have to do is precisely what he just said. In effect, the times set out are somewhat arbitrary and we do not know the full extent of the details. We have seen what happened with An Bord Pleanála which, although it is supposed to give decisions within a fixed period, cannot always do so. I accept the spirit of what the Minister of State outlined. Currently, the Bill is open-ended but I understand the Minister will require the board in question, on appointment, to have regard to timetables and to honour times in terms of applications. On that basis, I will withdraw my amendment.

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