Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I second amendment No. 28. It is ludicrous to suggest that the workload of An Bord Pleanála demands that there be a quorum of two in these instances. I have not heard of a quorum of two for playing tiddlywinks. This proposal is an absolute disgrace and could lead to deadlock in many cases unless there is collusion between the two people to agree. It is a dreadful situation to propose such a quorum of two persons. For instance, two members of the technical side of the board who are technically qualified in a particular area may have the same technical ability in that both may be architects or solicitors. The board is supposed to have a spread of membership. It would be a disgrace if the quorum for making decisions is to be two people. Fine Gael will be pursuing this matter. I ask the Minister of State to take consider the points being raised because it is ludicrous to suggest that two people would comprise a quorum.

The way this Bill is being handled in this House is an absolute disgrace. This Bill should not have come into this House if it was not proper. It is being rushed through the House from Second Stage to Committee Stage. A week has elapsed and nothing has happened with regard to the points we have raised. I do not blame the Minister of State who is present. This Bill is being rushed through the House. Reference has been made to the Parliamentary Counsel being consulted but at the same time no cognisance has been given to the amendments from this House and this is unacceptable. When the Bill goes to the other House there is no guarantee it will not be guillotined there as has happened to so many other Bills. It will return to this House with amendments made by the Minister of State. What is behind the rushing of this Bill and the manner in which it is being dealt with in this House? It is an absolute disgrace.