Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I accept the Minister of State's view that this section is included in the Bill to try to speed up the appeals before An Bord Pleanála but it is not the correct mechanism to speed up appeals before the board. Reducing the quorum from three to two enhances the power of the individual members of the board. This can create deadlock in many decisions and further bureaucracy because the decision will then have to go to the three member quorum. The Minister of State believes that it is necessary for An Bord Pleanála to speed up the way it does its business, but this section is the wrong vehicle for reform. The Minister of State and the Department could consider the reform of An Bord Pleanála under separate legislation or in a separate debate rather than try to stitch it in here. I cannot see how this will improve matters, especially in the current climate because there will be fewer appeals to the board.

If the Minister of State is serious about speeding up how the board does its business he should maybe examine the formation of the board. The rural sector feels that it is not represented. Perhaps there would be an opportunity to appoint two additional board members so that the quorum of three for minor appeals will remain. The section is irrelevant and Fine Gael will be opposing it because it has not heard any strong reasons why the quorum should be reduced.