Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Grealish. It is important that Ireland has a planning process that allows people to give their views on any planning application but it is also important that decisions are made speedily. It is frustrating to see so many of these important decisions being held up in the courts by means of judicial review. That does not only affect private sector projects such as this as important public infrastructure projects are also often held up in the courts. Any change to how the courts operate is difficult to put in place and can require constitutional change but in terms of the planning laws the designation of projects such as this as strategic infrastructure would allow them to receive planning permission much more quickly.

On my travels around the country over the summer I had an opportunity to visit Athenry, take a look at the site and meet with Councillor Peter Feeney and Deputy Ciaran Cannon. I know the strength of support for this project in the community in Athenry and that residents there see it as a real benefit to them.

We will work very hard as a Government, without interfering in the courts, to bring this project to fruition.

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