Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The amendment aims to improve the throughput of An Bord Pleanála and secure a higher compliance rate with the statutory objectives for appeals at no additional staff costs. It is estimated that over 60% of the current caseloads will be affected by this proposal, offering a significant potential for improved performance. It will also allow more board time to be allocated to complex and economically significant cases. The intention is to get cases outside of the areas I mentioned dealt with in as quick a time as possible. The opportunity is there for the chairman, or the deputy chairman in his or her absence, to recommend particular cases to a two-member quorum meeting. If there is a dispute, it can be referred to a three-quorum meeting.