Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Yes, I would welcome a debate and I seek your guidance, a Chathaoirligh, in this regard. Perhaps the Leader could have a word with the appropriate Minister. I have great sympathy for farmers, particularly around Kilgarvan, whose lands are overrun by the deer but, on the other hand, other farmers have a few thousand sheep where they should not be. This needs to be regularised.

Many Members have sought a debate regarding planning and An Bord Pleanála and the Leader is anxious to accommodate us. However, the board's independence must not be used as an excuse for the absence of accountability. While everybody accepts the law under which the board can, in its wisdom, disagree with its own inspectors' reports, it should, on each count, spell out why it has overruled the report. In terms of openness and transparency, that has not been seen to be done in at least one recent instance.