Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand the approximate timetable for the project is six months to pick a design team, one year to design it and another year to go through the planning process. I am aware that under the strategic infrastructure Act passed some years ago this project will not go through the local authority but directly to An Bord Pleanála. I developed the Italian Quarter in conjunction with Dublin City Council. We sat down with the council and while we designed it the council officials advised us at the same time so there was no row at the end of the process, as was the case with the Mater hospital proposal. An Bord Pleanála is not structured to work in this way; that was not the initial thinking behind it. However, this is not an appeal. Perhaps a structure could be set up in which An Bord Pleanála could be proactive with the designers, unravelling difficulties at an early stage rather than running into problems further along the process. An adjustment of An Bord Pleanála would probably be required to make this work, but it is something the Government should consider. It would be time well spent as it could save time and money and ultimately result in a happier arrangement.

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