Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I concur with some comments made in regard to planning and development. I ask the Leader if he might arrange a debate on that topic reasonably soon because it is important. In the changed economic circumstances in which we find ourselves it is important to re-focus on some of the issues that have evolved over a number of years. At the time it was introduced, Part V of the Planning and Development Act was necessary because of the escalating price of houses. Whether it is still justified in the current climate is something to be examined. There are issues such as rural housing development, mentioned by Senator Hannigan, which also deserve scrutiny.

There are questions concerning An Bord Pleanála. In recent years a tendency has emerged for large businesses and retailers to use An Bord Pleanála in order to obstruct development for their own competitive gain and protection. That must be examined. It always struck me that if we require our planning authorities, the county and city councils, to operate within time limits a similar constraint should operate with An Bord Pleanála. People should be entitled to get a decision within a reasonable amount of time. I know it is difficult but there should be some way of examining whether if vexatious and wrongly motivated objections can be sidelined at an early stage within the process.

There was some comment on the budget and we must all await the outcome. I commend what has been said by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, and also by some of the leading Opposition spokespersons, of whom I single out Deputies Richard Bruton and Ruairí Quinn. Deputy Quinn was particularly good on radio the other day. Politicians must now act in the national interest rather than in parochial, sectional or party interests. This country and many other countries face a challenge. Only a collective, unified approach can successfully overcome this challenge and build on the gains of the past ten years.