Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the process here, it is designed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended, which is old but powerful and useful legislation to get infrastructure built on our rivers. In the OPW and in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, our parent Department, we have had some discussion around the assessment and consenting process that could potentially be used. I know this is the cause of frustration and people often wonder why the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is doing the assessment and ask whether it should not be a planning agency. In my estimation, it should be a planning authority undertaking this task and we have had discussions regarding modernising this element. I refer to the assessment process being carried out by a planning authority such as An Bord Pleanála and the consenting authority remaining with a Minister, because this work ultimately becomes a charge on the Exchequer. Work in this sphere is progressing and we would hope that we will be able to bring proposals in this regard shortly.

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