‘Serial objectors’ hold up developments

THE phenomenon of serial objectors demanding ransom money to allow planning applications to go ahead has been described as “blackmail in the system” by Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

He told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food that he has an allergic reaction to serial objectors. “It is despicable, and it is difficult to know how to deal with it.”

“Third parties have the right to object, but the only way to deal with that would be to take away the right of third party objection.”