Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I have a couple of brief questions. In the context of this legislation, can the Minister ensure that something can be done about commercially malicious appeals that are taking place? The Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, can provide some examples of where that happened. Objections were lodged purely to delay a commercial operation so that they could get their own operation up and running.

Can there be more co-operation with planners at local authority level to provide a checklist or information to local engineers concerning basic errors that are being made in planning applications? In that way, applications could be streamlined in the first instance.

As public representatives, we have all come across cases where engineers, allegedly acting on behalf of individuals — usually young couples — literally rob money from them by putting in planning applications which they know in their heart and soul have no possibility of being granted. Despite this, they gather the fees for such applications, while the local authority is blamed as a result.

See this speech in context