Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reply raises a number of other questions. When will the guidelines actually be published? There were rumours they would be published this week. The problem is that an application for planning permission under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act may not take very long. Preplanning consultation is taking place in this case. We are told a formal application for planning will be submitted in the coming weeks. Will the guidelines be published before the application is decided by An Bord Pleanála? Will the Minister of State make clear that these guidelines have effect on every application from the date of their publication? If an application is submitted before they are published, will the guidelines still apply if they are published during the planning process?

I want to make clear we do not think the guidelines go far enough. I do not agree with the draft guidelines and we submitted our own proposals. This issue is crucial. Theoretically, a planning application could be decided over the summer before the guidelines are published. This would be retrograde and unfair. It would give people an unfair advantage. Many applications are pending with An Bord Pleanála. I counted 15 which are either pending or were decided in recent weeks. Last week, an application was granted in south County Meath and I understand from Senator Whelan that another application was granted in County Laois in recent weeks. We also have this application in train in County Meath. We want certainty and it is becoming very urgent.