Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an important day, given that the budget for next year is due to be introduced. We will have two hours to discuss the budget later in the day. I hope the Government will take the opportunity afforded by the budget to reverse the cuts to the home help service it introduced this year. I also hope it will live up to the commitments it made in the programme for Government. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, will have the opportunity later today to indicate in clear terms that he wants to protect the least well off, the disabled and the infirm. I hope the Government will take the opportunities to which I refer but we will discuss that matter later.

Will the Deputy Leader arrange a debate in due course in respect of the resourcing of An Bord Pleanála? I make this request because I have become aware of a number of shovel-ready projects in Dublin in respect of which finance is available but which have been delayed because they are before An Bord Pleanála. I accept that this is through no fault of the staff of An Bord Pleanála. I am of the view that we must give consideration to the overall resourcing relating to this organisation. There are two projects of which I am aware where there is a danger of the finance being withdrawn as a result of the objections of a single individual. Objections are fine and people are entitled to make them but An Bord Pleanála has extended its periods of consideration in respect of the projects to which I refer. I am sure there are similar projects throughout the country which could give rise to job creation and attract investment in these very difficult economic times.

Will the Deputy Leader arrange for a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan - when he returns from abroad - in respect of this matter? Such a debate would allow the Minister to outline the plans he has to properly resource An Bord Pleanála. Everyone is aware that local authorities each have similar numbers of staff in their planning offices as were there when there was much more work to be done. How many of these staff could be transferred to An Bord Pleanála in order to try to expedite planning decisions? I am concerned that we will lose a number of quite significant projects as a result of delays within An Bord Pleanála. It would be worthwhile discussing this matter, particularly if it assists in getting projects off the ground and attracting investment to towns and cities throughout the country. This is a serious matter of which, I am sure, colleagues have been made aware.

Will the Deputy Leader arrange a debate in respect of palliative care as soon as possible? I have made requests to the Leader on four different occasions in respect of the holding of such a debate. Many Members met representatives from the One Day More group in July and I was given a commitment immediately after that meeting that a proper debate would be held in respect of this matter. It is very important that such a debate should take place. I would like a debate on palliative care to be scheduled before the end of the current term.