Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

An Bord Pleanála has a crucial role in providing an independent appeal mechanism for planning cases and in processing strategic infrastructure and other cases. Delivering on a high number of cases in recent years while incorporating all elements of environmental assessment and public participation has been challenging for the board. I propose to assist the board in achieving efficiencies of operation by providing for a reduction in the current statutory requirement quorum of board members from two to three for the purpose of determining certain classes of routine cases. The chairperson or deputy chairperson of the board will have the power to recommend which cases are suitable for a reduced quorum.

The provision in this amendment will not apply in the following case types: development that would materially contravene an irrelevant development plan, strategic infrastructural development or a development or class of development referred to in the regulations made under section 176 of the principal Act, or EIA type development. If there is a deadlock it will be referred to a quorum of three. The issue is to try to speed up decisions in An Bord Pleanála. We have all received complaints about the length of delay and time spent.

The board has reduced its backlog by 46% to 1,499 cases on hand at the end of October from 2,799 for the same period in 2008. The board's 18 week compliance rate for 2008 was 23%. It is envisaged that in the coming months that will double to over 50% and will continue to rise in 2010, aided by this amendment.

There is nothing more in it. There are ten members on the board, a chairperson and nine ordinary members. That is what is involved and the chairperson or deputy chairperson will recommend moving on some suitable cases and that there would be a quorum of two, and there is a prohibition on certain types of case.