Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Moynihan put it clearly that this is about the public having information. The public are the eyes, ears and watchdogs of development. Speaking as someone who was a councillor for many years, it was the public who brought planning issues to our attention for us to take to the planners. In many cases, people consistently went to their planning authorities but did not get any follow-up. I know this from personal experience, having been involved in various issues that needed to be challenged. There was a view that local authorities did not have the necessary resources. We could speak all day about resourcing local authorities, but the public at large are the most vigilant people. When we live in communities that we value, like and want to live in, we are eyes, we are ears and we are alert. Rightly so, and we should be encouraged to do it.

Does the Minister of State accept that, under this Bill, the relevant declaration will be considered inadmissible in evidence? That is what this provision amounts to. My amendment and other amendments seek to ensure that the relevant declaration will be admissible. The last thing people want to do is to go into litigation. We hear so much about litigation. I will not go into it in great length now, but we have 20,000 houses still with An Bord Pleanála because of various legal disputes over the fast-track planning process. When we bypass people and planning authorities and put walls up in front of them, they will kick back, and the only place left for them to do so after this may be through expensive litigation. One thing is for sure, though – citizens will mobilise. They will come together under associations or however else is necessary and litigate. Litigation is delay and no one wants delay in our planning process.