3 4 CHAIRMAN: Good morning Mr. O'Neill. 5 - The Tribunal of ...

261 Q. 127 So the fact that the application is made will come into the public domain2 through a notice appearing in the planning register or the planning section in3 a newspaper which gives notice to the public that, in this instance, Tiernan4 Home Builders is applying to build 503 or 490 or 470 at one point, houses on5 the lands. But there's nothing adverse in the sense of adverse publicity6 arising from that. The mere fact that you apply for planning permission is7 not of itself something which carries with it any odium or anything to the8 detriment of you or indeed of the councillors who might ultimately have to9 decide upon the issue; isn't that right?10 A. That is right. Now, there would be lobby groups in that area and indeed in11 every other area.12 Q. 128 And on both sides I take it, Mr. Tiernan?13 A. Well there would only be the one lobby group on my side, I think.14 Q. 129 But you could be faced with lobby groups from community associations.15 A. Yes.16 Q. 130 From Heritage councils and other bodies. There could be various lobby groups;17 isn't that right?18 A. There always is.19 Q. 131 And the extent to which they could bring adverse publicity to you, is limited20 to what would take place at any public hearing, be it an oral hearing, if An21 Bord Pleanala chose to have an oral hearing in the event of an appeal; isn't22 that right? These groups wouldn't -- don't -- can't dictate the agenda, for23 example, of a County Council meeting, and they've no right of audience at such24 a meeting; isn't that right?25 A. Correct.26 Q. 132 And if your proposal involves the lobbying of county councillors, you've agreed27 with me there's no record kept of what lobbying that you engage in, and28 therefore none of those groups are in a position to know whether you've29 approached, one, all or a selection of the councillors; isn't that right?30 A. Correct.Premier Captioning & Realtime Limitedwww.pcr.ie Day 564