Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak to the section and I will speak to the policy point that I was seeking to address, which effectively builds on the extremely relevant point that I was making.That point is that we are told this is legislation to respond to an emergency and that it is urgent. In fact, the only aspect of this Bill which can constitute urgency is the appointment of an interim chair. I proposed that the section on the interim chair proceed. It is relevant because the amendment was tabled to this section. The other massive changes that are being proposed in respect of An Bord Pleanála have not had proper scrutiny or consideration. Given the lack of public confidence in An Bord Pleanála, not only with regard to alleged conduct by members of the board but due to the board being found again and again by the courts to have not applied the law correctly, there is a crisis in public trust. It was clear from the briefings we had from officials that addressing the public trust issues in An Bord Pleanála has not been at the centre of anything in this Bill. The interim chair is the only matter that is urgent. I do not apologise for this. These are the choices of the Government and the schedule that we have.