This morning, I want to raise the issue of Bord Pleanála, where it fits into the hierarchy of planning permission, and applications for planning permissions it has granted or refused in recent months and years. In the past 48 hours, planning permission for a waste plastics factory in Skibbereen has been granted by the board. The inspector's report opposed the project, but the board granted permission. That seems to be the way in which An Bord Pleanála has been doing its business of late. If one looks at other planning permissions regarding solar farms and an incinerator in Cork Harbour, one will see the same process. The independent inspector goes through the project, examines it, probably holds an oral hearing, compiles a report and then makes a recommendation to the board, which is ignored before it grants permission. It is an issue that needs to be examined. A judicial review of decisions of An Bord Pleanála can be requested, but is an audit conducted of its decisions? Is there an independent planning inspectorate that steps back and examines how the board deals with these issues? There is an issue here, particularly in respect of environmental projects, which can involve jobs and employment on one side and environmental issues on the other. The board seems to lean towards regarding the potential for jobs as more valuable than the environment. We have seen that with an incinerator and with solar farms and now we are seeing it with the plastics factory in Skibbereen. It is an issue at which we need to look. I call for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to be brought to the House to discuss the planning affairs of the State to see what can be done to ensure that the decisions made are appropriate and, if not, to see what can be done to ensure applicants do not have to go through the expensive process of a judicial review. It is an issue which has to be raised and on which change is needed.

I refer to the topic of Spinraza again. I have spoken about this in the past, as has my colleague, Senator Conway-Walsh. Representatives of the spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, patient group met the newly formed rare diseases review committee on 8 November. They presented for 40 minutes on what life is like with SMA, the disease burden of SMA, and the perceived impact of treatment with Spinraza. The patient group was happy with the committee, which comprised a good mix of independent experts, including treating consultants and experts on patients' concerns. It was also evident, however, that the committee would not make a statement, as it needed to further consider proposed suitable treatment guidelines and access through a managed access programme. The patient group believes that this has since been completed and that the statement from the review committee will be accessible to the drugs group in December. I have been contacted by the parents of an affected child. They believe that the group meeting is scheduled for 11 December. Parents want to be assured that the matter is being considered at the first available opportunity, which is the 11 December meeting, and that it will not be kicked out until January. It is only fair that families have a decision before Christmas. I would appreciate if the Deputy Leader could give me an update on that.

I join in the hearty congratulations to my colleague, Senator Feighan, and his new bride, Elaine. I wish them long life and happiness together.

I wish to voice my concern over the disappointing news I have received from An Bord Pleanála that it intends once again to put back the decision on the planning application for a new bridge at Cloongullane, Swinford on the N26, which is a national primary road. This is quite shocking. In March 2017, an oral hearing was conducted by the board. From then until July 2018 it was asking questions of an environmental nature, citing concerns about alluvial woodland and freshwater pearl mussel, because this is a designated special area of conservation, SCA, never mind that there is a road there and a sizeable population. We are not talking about a wilderness but an area where there is human activity. That does not seem to be catered for. More than €4 million has been spent to date just to get to this point. The planning process has not even concluded nor has a cent been paid to a farmer for land. It is shocking that although the decision was to have been made on 30 November, it has been delayed once again. This is the worst stretch of national primary road on the network. Year after year, people have been trying to find a solution to overcome the environmental designation. It is very frustrating. There are serious questions to be asked. There is either a significant problem within An Bord Pleanála or serious practical issues with the operation of the habitats and birds directives. This is impeding much needed development of a road that is necessary for economic and social growth and all the good measures planned under Project Ireland 2040. I ask for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to be invited to the House in order that we can get to the bottom of this. The N26 Cloongullane bridge is not alone. The west, including the western seaboard, where there is a significant volume of designated land, is being persecuted by this designation. The balance is not being got right between the wildlife and the human beings.

The Senator might get a more comprehensive reply if she submitted this as a Commencement matter.