Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

There is a reason for this section's inclusion in the Bill. I assume that high costs are associated with An Bord Pleanála processing appeals and applications of large infrastructural nature. Where do these costs accrue now? Do the board and the State pay? Is it the intention of the Minister to recoup these costs by this section in the legislation? The Minister of State might clarify that for me.

I would also make the point on the section that there are many proposed infrastructural projects and An Bord Pleanála will deal with quite a few of them, for example, the renewable energy wind projects, offshore or even onshore. The Spirit of Ireland has mentioned projects such as hydro schemes in combination with wind schemes and many of those will possibly come before An Bord Pleanála. I hope we are not excluding these sustainable infrastructural ventures or creating a disincentive by imposing costs on them. I urge caution on the Minister of State and the Department to ensure cost implications do not deny good infrastructural projects from happening in the private sector or wherever. I cite renewable energy projects as a good example. Senator Butler has often spoken about the Spirit of Ireland. He has an interest in that and so have I. I hope this legislation will not be used by agencies such as An Bord Pleanála to impose high costs which could cause those projects not to go ahead. I have a concern in that regard. The Minister of State might clarify it.