Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

Like Deputy Nash, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue, which forms part of the programme for Government to reform and improve elements of our planning system. Many Private Members' motions tabled by the Fianna Fáil Party display a remarkable amnesia and brass neck when it comes to the 14 years that preceded the election of this Government. In this instance, it shows remarkable neck and a brazen approach to the House to suggest that the Government is in some way remiss, given the performance of the previous Government and the fact that virtually every planning controversy that erupted was linked in some way to the Fianna Fáil Party.

There is mention of restoring confidence in planning. The most important step in restoring confidence in the planning process was to remove Fianna Fáil from Government 15 months ago. I welcome the fact that the Minister published the report of the planning review yesterday. It is a good analysis of various aspects of our planning system.

Like Deputy Nash, I served as chairperson of Cork City Council's planning committee for a number of years. When a person or business engages in the planning process through the local authority, there are clearly defined timelines. It takes roughly three months for the initial planning application and then a further month. Unfortunately, there are no timelines associated with An Bord Pleanála. From personal experience, this creates insecurity in people who wish to invest in the country and carry out various job creation projects. When legislation is next introduced, a simple measure would be to mirror the timelines of local authorities and require An Bord Pleanála to adopt the same timelines unless there are exceptional or extenuating circumstances requiring additional time. It is unacceptable that a company that wishes to come to the country has a defined period for being granted planning permission but it may not receive planning permission for a year or a year and a half if an appeal has been made to An Bord Pleanála. Many of the larger planning applications go through our local authorities and end up with An Bord Pleanála.

Yesterday's report examined planning practices in seven local authorities and sets out the 12 actions at departmental and local authority levels. I welcome that the Minister of State has committed to implementing the 12 actions, which will enhance transparency and improve consistency. We must be careful because one of the strengths of our planning system is subjectivity. It would be unwelcome to arrive at a point where the subjectivity of individual planners is diluted or removed. There will always be a case where An Bord Pleanála, as an appellant forum, will overturn a certain number of planning permissions. Looking at the ratio between the planning applications granted and the number ultimately upheld or refused by An Bord Pleanála is the most accurate way of determining whether a local authority and its planners are functioning at the optimum level.

My point is to welcome that the Minister of State is acting in an aggressive fashion. She has only been in office for a short time. I wish her well in continuing her job of re-establishing confidence in our planning system. It is a vital component in the job of encouraging investment, work and development in our country.

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