Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendment contains a mechanism for two reasons. First, to show that I am confident An Bord Pleanála will deliver. Second, I wish to make it known publically that we are serious about delivering the targets that we have set in the legislation. Otherwise we have deadlines with no consequence if they are not met and that is not credible.

Amendment No. 17 relates to subsection (13) of section 9 that provides for where the board fails to make decisions on an application for permission for a strategic housing development within a 16-week period, as specified in subsection (9), or such other periods as may be prescribed under that subsection and becomes aware that it has so failed. The board shall proceed to make the decision notwithstanding that the period has expired. In such a situation the board shall pay to the applicant a sum equal to the lesser amount of €10,000 or three times the fee paid by the applicant in respect of his or her application for permission.

The amendment removes an incorrect reference in paragraph (d) in the prescribed fee for an application for permission for a strategic housing development. Such fee will in fact be determined by the board subject to the approval of the Minister. The amendment also substitutes an incorrect reference to the planning application fee paid to the planning authority in subsection (13)(d) and corrects this to refer to the planning application fee paid to the board. The second amendment is a correction but both amendments refer to the consequences of not meeting the targets that have been set out in the legislation.