Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she remains satisfied that Ireland remains an attractive location to do business; her views on whether streamlining of the planning service is required in the aftermath of the loss of a major enterprise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland operates in an intensely competitive global environment for the attraction of business investment and talent. Our Irish owned enterprises compete on the international stage and face unprecedented challenges as they face the implications of Brexit and need to diversify to other export markets. In this context it is crucially important that we, as a Government, continue to focus on improving Ireland’s relative competitiveness and attractiveness as a location in which to do business – both for foreign and Irish owned enterprises.
Ireland has many strengths when it comes to attracting business investment, including our membership of the EU and the fact that we are an English-speaking nation. For all enterprises, access to a highly skilled workforce, our supportive regulatory environment and an eco-system that stimulates and supports innovation are critical elements of an attractive location; as is access to world class infrastructures and services. Enterprise 2025 Renewed places a strong emphasis on driving export-led growth, underpinned by innovation, talent and placemaking. As Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, my objective is to create the best possible environment for enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment across all regions.
In today’s ever changing global environment, we cannot afford to be complacent. We need to anticipate and respond to circumstances that may impact negatively on our competitiveness or on how we may be perceived internationally. In relation to the Deputy’s query, it is important first of all to note that Ireland has a robust set of laws and regulations which govern planning and environmental considerations, encourages consultation and allows for appeal. A planning system that balances the ambitions of development against the valid interests and concerns of local populations is an appropriate and necessary structure which we should maintain and be confident in. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement in relation to streamlining the planning service - particularly in regard to the speed at which planning decisions are taken.
The Government is currently considering a package of measures to streamline the judicial review of strategic infrastructure projects in order to provide greater certainty on the timeframe for decisions on planning and other consent processes. The measures will build on the accelerated, one-stage planning process for strategic infrastructure projects which is already operated by An Bord Pleanála.
Providing certainty to potential investors as to the timeframe within which they can expect a decision should ensure that Ireland's planning system remains a key part of our overall attractiveness as a good place in which to do business.
Furthermore, Project Ireland 2040 and the development of the associated Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, should provide a more coherent and joined-up policy context for planning decisions. This should better facilitate both developers and planning authorities to make consistent and appropriate planning decisions which are aligned with our national and regional policy objectives.
