Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Despite the huge housing emergency, the staffing levels at An Bord Pleanála have been insufficient to deal with appeals. This has caused unacceptable delays and it has caused a huge bottleneck. In the "RTÉ Investigates" report last night, we saw a situation where those delays were disgracefully exploited for financial gain. Go-away money was being demanded couched as consultancy, which really looks more like extortion.

One of the key issues is staff shortages where there is permission to have a complement of 300 staff. Only 40% of the new staff complement has been filled. Will the Taoiseach accept amendments to the new planning Bill that would close off the opportunity to extort money and will he ensure that the recruitment happens as a matter of urgency?

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