John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I too support the call by Senator Ormonde for a debate on An Bord Pleanála and the planning issue. I raised this on the Order of Business two weeks ago. I emphasise again that the co-relationship between local authority planning decisions, inspectors from An Bord Pleanála and the ultimate decision of the board leaves much to be desired. It is all over the place and we have to get it right. It negates proper development when local authority planners and inspectors from an Bord Pleanála can uphold a planning decision and it can be overturned by the board on one objection. This has severely affected major developments in Cork and elsewhere. The debate should be held sooner rather than later.