Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is there provision within the programme for Government to place on a statutory basis the length of time An Bord Pleanála presides over appeals? One application that was brought to my attention this week involved applicants who been in the process for three years. Despite the fact that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has said that increased resources and staff are being made available to An Bord Pleanála in this time of national crisis in respect of the housing sector and the provision of housing, it is appalling to think that a one-off house cannot be dealt with adequately within the time assigned by the board. If that is the case, why can the Government not bring forward legislation to put them on a statutory basis to deal with them in a timely manner, which An Bord Pleanála should do so anyway?

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