Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note that the Minister of State has not addressed my point on the additional applications. Perhaps he might expand on that, given as I say that this not an arbitrary threshold. This threshold is recognised in the EU in procurement laws and others as major works. Does the Minister of State feel that it is appropriate or acceptable for a project or a proposed development of more than €5 million on adjoining land to be attached to an application for a substitute consent on a site? Can the Minister clarify his position in relation to the additional applications? If massive projects of that size are to go through a shorter process, that raises a concern. This issue is quite separate to the position of the regularisation.

Again, I have not received an answer about the situation for those who do not seek substitute consent, but who are found for example to be in a class of development or a development that has not properly applied the planning laws? Previously, the local authority could initiate the substitute consent process and thereby could allow a developer to regularise its status. Now, however, it is only initiated by the developer. The risks are very much reduced for the developer unless there is a parallel process. There may well be one and the Minister of State might indicate what that process is. I have two specific questions on that.