Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister will agree there is a very disjointed approach to promoting enterprise in local authority areas at present because of the current plethora of agencies. I ask the Minister to bring forward proposals, together with his colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to bring them together to a greater extent under local government.

In respect of An Bord Pleanála, a huge backlog of potential employment generating proposals has built up before the board, which must be released from decision-making. Does the Minister agree that to assist in removing the backlog, existing planning permissions that last five years could be extended to seven years? This proposal might meet some of the requirements in respect of major infrastructural projects.

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