John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I genuinely think the Senator has made serious allegations in suggesting An Bord Pleanála would, in some way, not do its duty to adjudicate on planning applications on their merits. We either have faith in our planning system and the independence of An Bord Pleanála to do its job or we do not. I have faith. I am not happy with the delays in An Bord Pleanála and think one would have to be bonkers to want to take a route such as the one suggested, given the lengthy delays, which we are trying to address. The Senator suggested An Bord Pleanála will not adjudicate on something on its merits because it will feel pressure to do something else. That is a very unfair statement.