Planning delays will stymie Galway for at least a decade, Supermac’s founder claims

Traffic issues are keeping investors out, while ‘vexatious’ objections are holding up necessary developments

Pat McDonagh, founder of fast-food chain Supermac’s Picture: Michael Dillon

Ireland is becoming an international joke over its planning regulations, according to Supermac’s founder Pat McDonagh, who has said that the system here needs to be urgently examined by the government.

“People can object to whatever they want to object to,” he said. “As a nation we are becoming a joke.”

Planning decisions have delayed the development of Galway, where Supermac’s is headquartered, according to McDonagh. These include objections to Apple’s proposed €850 ...