Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I welcome that response. Every public representative, whether local authority members of Oireachtas Members, will be very glad if there are clear guidelines giving consistency of treatment in the role of the public representative in accompanying applicants, if necessary, in pre-planning discussion, or the investor, whether small or large. Everybody should understand how the system works and the Department should set down a model with which every local authority should comply. I would welcome that correspondence would be sent to local authorities in that regard. It is essential and urgent. The anecdotal evidence the Minister of State will pick up from his colleagues around the House will suggest it is urgent.

See this speech in context