Victor Boyhan (Independent)

I welcome Senator Fitzpatrick as acting Acting Leader of the Seanad. It is an honour for her and I know she will do a good job.

I want to follow on from what Senator Conway was talking about in respect of the Government publishing the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. I welcome that. We all know that we need to put infrastructure in place. The Acting Leader served for a long time on the housing committee. I was with her on the committee. An issue that was constantly raised at the committee was that while there was a plan for housing, we also needed to address the issues that were impediments to housing, enterprise and industry. It is clear that we have issues in respect of critical infrastructure. Having said that, I also believe that citizens have rights and they are addressed, to a certain extent, in this proposal, at least according to media reports this morning.

The plan contains and sets out 30 measures intended to remove the barriers to infrastructure and development across Ireland. That will include legal and regulatory reforms, which is important.

The Taoiseach is quoted in the press as saying that issues should be resolved in the planning system and not the courts. I agree. Issues should be resolved at An Coimisiún Pleanála and the planning authorities.

There is a wake-up call that we must take seriously what our citizens are saying and what people are engaging with. We need to focus on that because citizens have rights. I have no doubt that most TDs, councillors and Senators have made submissions. Indeed, I have objected to particular things. I have successfully pursued issues through An Coimisiún Pleanála where the board has found in favour of my case. That is true of many other people here. There are processes in place and we must exercise them, but it must be done in a balanced and fair way.

The Tánaiste's comments on the plan have been reported in all media today. He echoed the sentiments that the Government must address the imbalance that currently exists. The president of the Irish Planning Institute, Mr. Gavin Lawlor, welcomed the plan and said that this initiative is to engage with communities more around the concept of the common good and the benefits that sustainable infrastructure will bring to wider society and the environment. We are beginning to see greater understanding in the language. There is great hope in this plan. I ask the Acting Leader to convey, at some appropriate time, my wish for a debate on the 30 objectives in the plan.