The Dutch Council of State – the highest government advisory body – has criticised the ruling coalition for its plans to make the temporary Crisis and Recovery Act (crisis- en herstelwet) a permanent law.

The temporary legislation was passed in December 2010. It makes it possible for roads to be constructed quicker during the economic crisis by allowing normal procedures for objections to be cut short.

The Council of State says very little is known about the effects of the temporary legislation and points out that it is being proposed to make the law permanent without waiting for any proper evaluation to take place. It goes on to voice fears that it is not yet clear how the law will affect the legal position of citizens, including their equality before the law.

The council further warns of the threat of a split between environmental administrative law and other forms of administrative law. It is also said that the legislation comes ahead of other laws already in the planning stage, including some concerning the countryside. The council says it is not yet clear how the various pieces of legislation will relate to each other.

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