Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issues of delays in getting decisions from An Bord Pleanála has now become farcical. We need to ensure that a reform is in place that at least gives applicants the knowledge of when they are going to get a definitive decision, at a time when there is a housing crisis in this country. There are cases backlogged, and people who want to build homes cannot get a decision. In respect of my home town of Navan, an application for a 100-home development approved by Meath County Council and appealed to An Bord Pleanála in February 2022 - 16 months ago - is still lying in there on a desk somewhere. That is completely unacceptable. To compound the matter and make it even more farcical, the road built to access the land for this development was funded and provided for by the State. It is strategic land, and the Department paid for and constructed a road so that we could build homes. The council granted permission and the decision was appealed. Whether the ruling is for or against, a ruling must be provided. The delay is now threatening the livelihoods of people, who have people they cannot actually pay because they need to build homes. We need to grapple with this issue. No arm of the State should be beyond reproach. There should not be a scenario where an arm of the State is not held accountable. A date must be provided as to when we can get a decision. I ask the Leader to engage with the Minister so that we can have a debate and have these matters thrashed out, because it is beyond farcical that An Bord Pleanála can act in this manner.