Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

That does not make sense and what is happening on that road means motorists are being ripped off.

I support Senator White's call for a debate on planning but I would like an emphasis on the lack of planners throughout the State. The planning service provided by local authorities such as North Tipperary County Council is a disgrace. The north Tipperary local authority needs at least five additional planners but the manager of the council has stated there is an embargo on the appointment of staff. The citizens of north Tipperary must deal with a second class service. The suggestion that planners are responsible for the closure of petrol stations is untrue. Local authority members draft county development plans and they decided what lands are rezoned, as we all know to our cost.