Fingal County Council has granted planning permission in just 15 days for the first phase - a site access road - for a major IBM plant in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin. This is the minimum length of time specified by the 1963 Planning Act in which a local authority can make a decision con a planning application. Normally it takes two months and even longer if further information is needed.
Mr William Soffe, the county manager told councillors that he had "no apology" to make for giving IBM special treatment because it was a key industry which would ultimately give employment to 2,800 people. One councillor, who did not wish to be identified, said he was not objecting to IBM but considered that everyone should get the same treatment.