There is a wrong-headed belief in the South that Northern planning is in some way more efficient. There is glaring proof that is wrong. That proof is the public inquiry into a proposed gold mine at Greencastle, Co Tyrone. The mine is supposed to be the largest in Europe. The inquiry was scheduled to last for 22 days. This was resuming after three days of hearings in January last year. This then was adjourned because there had been no cross-Border consultation, as legally required. By the time you are reading this, hearings will have been underway for 22 days. At best, it is half way through the topics. There is no sign of when hearings may end. There is even talk of continuing into next year. The timetable is confused. Hearings began in April, after Easter. I have attended all days. On many days, up to the first hour has been taken up with discussions about procedure and timetabling. Neither is clear.
