Planning appeals against major State and private construction projects are to be eliminated, under new measures to speed up the planning process to be brought before the Cabinet shortly.
Under the proposed new law, decisions on key projects will be taken out of the hands of local authorities and An Bord Pleanála and dealt with by a new authority, the National Infrastructure Body.
The measures, from the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, come in the wake of mounting concerns among Ministers about the State's escalating infrastructure bill and complaints from major foreign companies about delays in the planning process.
The heads of a Bill will be brought to the Cabinet before Christmas, though subsequent legislation will specify the type of projects to be covered.
"It will only be for key ones that affect the national interest," one source said.
In his address to the Fianna Fáil ardfheis in Killarney on Saturday night, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, made reference to the new body but did not give details.
Heading off criticism that controversial projects will be railroaded through, Mr Ahern said: "All the issues will be heard, but delays will shorter and decisions will be faster.
"Building a better Ireland must be done more cost-effectively and more quickly. Consultation is important but it cannot be endless. Building for the greater good - this is our national interest," he said.
Mr Ahern was convinced that changes had to be made following the lengthy battle over plans to build a terminal in Mayo to receive gas from the Corrib gasfields.
Strongly opposed by some local people, the project was considered by Mayo County Council for 18 months, and it was a further 12 months with An Bord Pleanála before final decisions were reached.
Although appeals to its rulings will not be allowed, the National Infrastructure Board's decisions will have to comply with all EU directives and national law. Officials in the Department of the Environment and Local Government have been working on the proposal for months, although consultations with other Departments have not yet concluded.
It is not clear what type of projects will be decided by the new body and it is not clear if highly controversial projects, such as incinerators, will be included.
Many infrastructure projects, such as major roads, bypass local authorities and are ruled on directly by An Bord Pleanála, while projects such as Luas, backed by specific legislation, are dealt with by special inquiries.
Mr Cullen told the ardfheis: "The economic interests of Ireland cannot be held to ransom by short-term interests. Public consultation is fundamental to good planning. But when projects are approved following robust consideration, we have to ensure that they are built."
