Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome that the Attorney General is examining the matter. I ask for urgency about it. We need to ensure that we have a robust, fair, balanced system in place as quickly as possible. I have seen first-hand in my own constituency that the delays are impeding investment and indeed could put off future investment coming into Laois-Offaly because of this multi-million factory being place in the position it is being placed in and the time delays that are involved. The Minister also mentioned rural housing. I have seen first-hand that many of those applicants are being left in limbo because An Bord Pleanála is not coming back in a timely manner with a decision about planning for one-off housing. That issue needs to be dealt with. I am particularly concerned with the lack of balance for enterprise and environment. We need to ensure that there is balance. I can see first-hand that it is tipping one way. I feel that there needs to be more common sense and pragmatism. We cannot stand here and talk about job creation if we are being impeded and obstructed all the time by groups such as An Taisce.

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