Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

An Bord Pleanála appointed the chairman of the oral hearing, who outlined 14 clear reasons the proposal should be rejected. When Deputies on the Government side argue that the Government has no role in this regard — when they claim that An Bord Pleanála is an independent authority that was established to make non-political decisions — they are talking rubbish. An Bord Pleanála has specifically stated that it overturned the recommendation that resulted from the tedious and long oral hearing process. Those who took part in the process, at great expense, did so because it is Government policy to facilitate such exchanges.

See this speech in context