IBEC: Faster court system should accompany infrastructure bill

The employers' body IBEC is calling for the establishment of a special court system to speed up legal challenges to infrastructure projects.

The organisation wants the measure to be introduced in tandem with the Government's planned new legislation to fast-track the planning process for such schemes.

The Government is planning to set up a special division of An Bord Pleanála to deal with planning applications for developments like new roads and incinerators.

IBEC has welcomed the move, but says it may not be effective unless the court system is also overhauled.

"At the moment it's actually the court process that's delaying a lot of projects," spokesman Brendan Butler said.

"Along with the announcement regarding a Strategic Infrastructure Bill, we need special arrangements in the court system to allow legal challenges to be heard on a special list that speeds up the process."