Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. It is amazing that she reiterated the situation in Wicklow. Wicklow County Council is seeking its funds from the developer through the courts, it is also seeking them from the homeowners and now we are told it might get its funds by taking the bond route. It wants them not in one or two ways, but three ways. It is incumbent on the Minister of State or the Minister, having taken advice, to insist on an approach to be taken universally across the local authorities in Ireland. Let us show some leadership on this issue, in the interest of the homeowners.

Second, it is incumbent on the Minister, the Department and the Government to adhere to the recommendations from the Mahon tribunal and appoint a regulator to oversee planning regulation in this State. That will take everything into where the control should lie, and prevent this happening again in the future.

There is no way that Wicklow County Council or any other local authority should be allowed to back three horses. The Minister of State must insist on what the universal policy is in this regard. Wicklow County Council cannot be allowed to continue to waste taxpayers' money following three horses on this issue. It cannot be going to the courts to argue that it is the developer's responsibility while issuing letters which amount to legal proceedings against homeowners at even more cost to the State. What process has Wicklow Country Council initiated by which it can take the funds from the bond? It either can or cannot. I plead with the Minister of State to get into her car in the morning and go to Wicklow to take charge of the situation, put the fire out and make sure no more fires start anywhere else.

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