Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today's edition of The Irish Timescarries a major story on its front page, which states "Proposed rules aim to limit court challenges to building projects", written by Pat Leahy, the political editor. The article purports to give an account of decisions taken at Cabinet yesterday in regard to planning and infrastructure. This suggests that there will be efforts by the Government to reduce the period for the judicial review of planning decisions and to generally curtail objectors. The Government will have an opportunity at some stage in the future to address this, and I intend to ask the Minister about these matters when he is here to deal with other planning business later today.

I took the time and trouble today to go on the Internet and access the website of An Bord Pleanála. I keyed in a number of Government Ministers currently sitting at Cabinet to determine whether I could identify a pattern of objections or observations. Between that and talking to a number of local authority members, I have ascertained that a substantial number have submitted key objections which are legitimate. They make representations on behalf of their constituents, and rightly so. If the Government's plans were to go ahead, they would curtail citizens who wish to have a judicial review of a decision. I have been involved in a number of judicial reviews where we were successful in overturning Government decisions and planning and local authority proposals. There was always a place for a judicial review. It is an extremely expensive process.

It is important that we do not curtail, clamp down or cut down on our citizens who have a right to engage in the planning process. I accept that there has to be infrastructure. I am reminded of the North-South interconnector and the role of Meath Deputies in that issue. I am reminded of issues to do with Dublin Port, where public representatives objected to job creation and critical infrastructure. I could go on at length.

The House will deal with some very important business later today, namely, planning legislation. I encourage as many Members as possible to be here to deal with the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016. One of the principal tenets of the Bill is that it would advance the independent planning regulator, which is important. We need public confidence in our planning process. I urge people to attend the debate today and make a contribution to that important Bill.