Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader for a debate on An Bord Pleanála and its role in the planning process, particularly in one-off housing. There is something wrong when permission for a one-off house, granted by the local authority, is objected to by a person from Dublin city, 130 miles away, who spotted a hole being dug while out hillwalking. The objection was upheld by An Bord Pleanála. I appreciate it has a significant role in major developments and planning initiatives but a local authority will not grant permission for one-off housing unless it is viable and supplied with necessary services such as sanitation and safe access.