Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I fully appreciate the points the Senator is making. I have voiced my feelings at the inappropriate use of the planning process simply to delay projects. He mentioned the southern bypass at Longford. As the Senator knows, I visited the town recently, and the frustration there is very real. One can discern there is a major impact on the quality of life on coming though the town, where one has to make a right and a left turn. The heavy traffic going through Longford town makes life impossible. Sadly, the Senator is quite right in his assertion that there are cases up and down the country where people are using the planning process — which is very open and democratic — as a means of simply delaying, very unreasonably, infrastructure that delivers benefits. In the BMW region, in particular, such infrastructure is necessary. The whole ethos of the Bill is about getting rid of such obstacles and achieving a better balance.

Notwithstanding that, I do not believe a 12-week period gives sufficient time. I realise the Senator has tactically tabled the amendment as a marker and I compliment him on that. If planning decisions could be taken within the 18-week period, we should all be very happy. It does not happen at the moment, but hopefully when the Bill goes through, it will. If we can get something through in a stipulated period, it will make life easier for those of us who wish to see this country with the type of infrastructure it needs in all areas, particularly in the BMW region. While I sympathise with the Senator's cause, I do not believe it is practical to try to tie matters down to 12 weeks. The 18-week interval is ambitious and we should keep it at that. I cannot accept the amendment, so I hope the Senator is not pressing it.