David Norris (Independent)

I am interested particularly in the alterations to section 33 and the introduction of a new section 50B. This relates to cost recovery and, as I mentioned at the beginning of this debate, the whole matter of the way in which we implement European regulations and directives that require planning decisions to be fair, equitable, timely and not prohibitively expensive. The problem is the section operates on the assumption that adequate compliance is granted with Article 10A, in the sense that applicants can be protected from legal costs ordered against them and that Article 10A does not require that applicants are assisted with their own legal costs. There is a real question about this and whether the section in fact amounts to compliance by Ireland at all. People can be accruing costs for their own side and this only-----