Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps there have been some crossed wires here. The Minister is saying that Gaeltacht planning matters need to be channelled through a development plan and I do not disagree at all. Amendment No. 511 proposes that the assessment of development plan variation should be with the OPR. The OPR has this function. When this assessment of a development plan variation is being done by the OPR, my amendment proposes that they need to check that it is materially consistent with any relevant language plan. If not, they could then make a recommendation to the Minister. I am absolutely not saying that Gaeltacht planning matters cannot or should not be channelled through a development plan. I am speaking about the specific function that is given in the legislation to the OPR and about language plans, which have a statutory basis from the 2012 Act. I have not heard the rationale against my amendment or for the other three I mentioned here. I have just heard a general view.