Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Let us examine the experience of local authorities in regard to planning permissions because I am not trying to set impossible deadlines for a public service that is working and trying to meet all the requirements. Frequently, the Blaney rule has been circumvented legally by the planning authorities saying they do not have adequate information or they need additional information. If the letter of appeal comes in on day one and it is and found to be incomplete in terms of the documentation, it cannot be processed. A letter from the appeals board will then be sent to the appellant saying additional information is needed to clarify the basis of his or her appeal and the clocks will stop until the new information is submitted. The board is not locked into a timeframe of communication that is absolute. In the context of efficiency, productivity, the Croke Park agreement, e-government and so on, 30 days should be sufficient. The Bill proposes a 90-day timeframe and I am seeking one of 30 days. Could we do 45 days?

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