Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was going to make this point before Senator Martin made it. The reality is that all of us in this House know we are in a dreadful situation with An Bord Pleanála at the moment, and it simply cannot be allowed to continue. I accept that amendments have been put forward by Senators Warfield, Higgins and others, but it has to be an improvement to implement what we are proposing here. Given where we are at the moment, it must be done. To be honest, and to explain this to Senator Warfield if he is not happy with me, I am meeting very ordinary people with ordinary planning applications that have either been turned down by the local authority or appealed to An Bord Pleanála. The hold-ups there are unacceptable. The country cannot move on with housing and other things if we do not sort out An Bord Pleanála. While I can understand some reservations, we have to do something now. It is necessary that we move, and move quickly.