Flood relief and planning responses
The Leader notes the flood-relief fund and agrees that An Bord Pleanála decision time limits should be reviewed, while saying recent planning debates had offered opportunities to raise the issue.
Senator Diarmuid Wilson mentioned private investigators, a matter I have dealt with. He also welcomed the fact that the Irish Red Cross would administer the flood relief fund.
I agree with Senator Lorraine Higgins and other Senators that the time limits for decisions by An Bord Pleanála should be reviewed. We debated the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill last week and again yesterday. Unfortunately, on both occasions I did not hear any Senator raise this point. The debates provided them with an opportunity to do so, but I am sure the matter will be addressed by the Government in the context of an overview of the activities of An Bord Pleanála.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames mentioned the programme "RTE Investigates". The matter was dealt with comprehensively on the Order of Business yesterday.