Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I always looked on a request for further information as an opportunity to secure planning permission rather than the other way around. We have to consider this Bill holistically, however. It involves significant pre-planning consultation that would probably not otherwise happen. The level of additional further information required should be significantly less than if planning had gone through the normal channels.

Councillors do not use planning conditions, which could be used rather than seeking further information. It is a tough balance. I would hate to see a planning permission lost because of a requirement for further information. On Second Stage I said that we should take into account submissions that councils cannot deal with except by way of further information. People do not know what submissions will come in via the pre-planning process. Something that is unknown to a planner or developer could come in by way of a submission, and suddenly permission cannot be granted and instead further information is sought

I can understand trying to find the right balance. We have all seen further information comprising three or four pages in length with 25 items, and we wonder why we are here. It is a tough one to balance, but I wish the Minister good luck with that. I always looked on a request for further information as a way of securing planning, rather than slowing down the process.