Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is important legislation to restore confidence in An Bord Pleanála. I remember when Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach, which is quite a few years ago - we have had a number of Taoisigh since then - he brought forward legislation to fast track the planning process for large projects. Since then, the whole system has actually slowed down, in every aspect. I have a few points to make in respect of the planning system. I appeal to the Minister of State to notify county managers in regard to how planning staff should operate. Usually, when a planning application goes in and the 60 days are up, the planning officer will send out for further information. That should not be happening in this day and age. People who lodge a planning application should know within a couple of days whether they have made a full application. If further information is required to make the application legitimate, for want of another word, applicants should know that within a few days. It is not acceptable to have applicants waiting two months and then getting a notification that their application is not complete and additional information is required.

In larger counties like my own, County Mayo, there is a huge difference between the different municipal districts. The latter should be able to make recommendations when the county development plan is being compiled. When a county council meets, the process is very unwieldy, with a lot of debate and different projects to discuss. In Mayo, there are issues to do with marine areas, inland areas, lakes and so forth. The different municipal districts could add to the development of the county plan in a way that is better for local communities.

As Senator Buttimer said, this is all about restoring confidence in An Bord Pleanála. I am opposed to virtual meetings because they may be open to manipulation. Online participants might have people with vested interests sitting beside them.