The provision of housing is vital for many. Many of those who have sought and been granted planning permission by their local authority to build their own homes have subsequently been affected by appeals to An Bord Pleanála by serial objectors. Likewise, farmers who want to build roads to bring timber from their forestry lands are given permission by their local authority and the forestry service, but, again, the decisions are appealed by the serial objectors. Will the Government do something about them by placing some charge on them which they would have to pay when objecting? It is fine if someone is affected by a planning decision, but people from far away who are not connected at all are lodging appeals.

Time is up.

They are objecting and causing a great deal of harassment for people who simply want to build houses for themselves or provide roadways. They are being stopped and blocked by serial objectors.

Can we hear from the Minister?

Please do something about them.

I thank the Deputy for the question. The Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, is bringing through the Houses a planning Bill which includes an amendment to deal with the issue raised by the Deputy of access to industrial forestry to allow farmers and others to facilitate the movement of timber goods from their lands. On the issue of people objecting to the granting of planning permission, we have a very robust planning system which has done a great deal of good to protect us from things which should not happen. However, bearing in mind an increase in the number of vexatious objections and observations, reforms will be made to the system, the details of which will be published in the autumn.

That concludes-----

I would like to register a possible perceived conflict of interest on that subject. It is proper to do so.

What subject?

On the question that was just raised.

The Deputy did not raise a question.

I am a connected person and it has to be registered.