Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment. We are in a dynamic period of economic change, some of which we never anticipated with the recession after 2008.

Petrol stations can be bypassed. The last day, Senators Paul Coghlan and O'Neill mentioned places like Urlingford and Johnstown. Senator Quinn has made television programmes about city and town centres that have gone into decline. There might be a fear that the system would be clogged up with appeals. Senator Quinn spoke in the context of a previous amendment about having to wait for 13 or 14 years. We should not have to wait for that long before we can say it is not happening and ask for a revision. If a provision to that effect were to be observed in good faith by both sides, it could stimulate areas that are in decline. Many Senators have shown an interest in such areas in debates in this House.