37J.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Board, having regard to the special importance of applications relating to development that may fall within section 37A(2), to ensure that—

(a) consultations held on foot of a request under section 37B are completed, and

(b) a decision under section 37G on an application made under section 37E is made,

as expeditiously as is consistent with proper planning and sustainable development and, for that purpose, to take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that, in so far as is practicable, there are no avoidable delays at any stage in the holding of those consultations or the making of that decision.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) and subject to subsections (3) to (6), it shall be the objective of the Board to ensure that a decision under section 37G on an application made under section 37E is made—

(a) within a period of 18 weeks beginning on the last day for making submissions or observations in accordance with the notice referred to in section 37E(3)(a), or

(b) within such other period as the Minister may prescribe either generally or in respect of a particular class or classes of matter.

(3) Where it appears to the Board that it would not be possible or appropriate, because of the particular circumstances of the matter with which the Board is concerned, to determine the matter within the period referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) as the case may be, the Board shall, by notice in writing served on the applicant for permission, any planning authority involved and any other person who submitted submissions or observations in relation to the matter before the expiration of that period, inform the authority and those persons of the reasons why it would not be possible or appropriate to determine the matter within that period and shall specify the date before which the Board intends that the matter shall be determined.

(4) Where a notice has been served under subsection (3), the Board shall take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that the matter is determined before the date specified in the notice.

(5) The Minister may by regulations vary the period referred to in subsection (2)(a) either generally or in respect of a particular class or classes of applications referred to in section 37E, where it appears to him or her to be necessary, by virtue of exceptional circumstances, to do so and, for so long as the regulations are in force, this section shall be construed and have effect in accordance therewith.

(6) Where the Minister considers it to be necessary or expedient that a certain class or classes of application under section 37E that are of special strategic, economic or social importance to the State be determined as expeditiously as is consistent with proper planning and sustainable development, he or she may give a direction to the Board that priority be given to the determination of applications of the class or classes concerned, and the Board shall comply with such a direction.

(7) The Board shall include in each report made under section 118 a statement of the number of matters which the Board has determined within a period referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) and such other information as to the time taken to determine such matters as the Minister may direct.]