Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I say this although it is not the issue today. Before Committee and Report Stages of this Bill, when I propose to table certain amendments, I would like to know to what extent An Taisce comes within the remit of this legislation. I asked my own party why it was not done in the previous legislation. I am looking for transparency. I do not want to get rid of An Taisce. I have had arguments with Senator Norris but I have said that it has a role to play. In some instances, however, that role is demeaned by the fact that in certain instances it is being used subtly, cleverly, as a pawn for developers or for individuals who have an issue with a particular planning application. That should be cleared up.

I would like under this Bill to see An Taisce explain why it objected to the cases I mentioned and others going back ten or 15 years, setting out its criteria, why it got involved and used its influence with An Bord Pleanála. That is wrong and we need the power of this Act to get to the truth, to have transparency and do away with the smoke and mirrors that have made it untouchable. That has been the case since An Taisce was created in 1981. It is regrettable. Public trust could be restored if that was done. That is all I ask for, transparency, honesty, integrity and to see how it is funded and how we can restore faith in a body that needs a good shake-up.