Plans for a new fast-track planning system for major projects, including motorways, incinerators and power stations, are to be brought before the Cabinet by the end of this month.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, is to bring forward a new strategic infrastructure Bill, which aims to reduce the time taken for major projects to pass through the planning process.
The Bill proposes the establishment of a new strategic infrastructure body, which will act as a one-stop planning shop for the consideration of major projects.
The major projects will include any development seen as a national priority, including the proposed metro system, new motorways, electricity pylon networks and major waste facilities.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has spoken strongly about the need for such measures. The inclusion of incinerator projects, could still face opposition from her PD colleague, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
Dublin City Council has advanced plans for an incinerator in Poolbeg, which is in Mr McDowell's constituency. Last November he said the PDs were opposed to the inclusion of incinerators for fast-track planning.
The new body will operate separately from An Bord Pleanála and the local authorities.
At present, major projects go through the same planning process as other applications, with the local authority responsible for the initial planning proposal, and An Bord Pleanála considering any appeals, usually through a full oral hearing.
Instead under the new system, the promoters of major projects will go directly to the new infrastructure body with proposals.
"The situation at the moment is that applications go into a local authority, who knows that any decision it makes is pointless because, whatever the decision, it will be appealed by one side or the other."
The new legislation, which has been drafted by the Department of the Environment, is almost complete. It includes provisions for a full public consultation process, environmental impact assessments, and other planning checks and balances.
It is expected the Bill will stipulate specific time limits within which a decision will have to be made on specific projects after a planning application is made.
It is envisaged that a considerable amount of pre-planning consultation would take place before an application is considered.
It is also expected that the new body itself will decide on which applications it should consider, despite Mr McDowell's opposition to the inclusion of incinerators as strategic infrastructure.