Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a big new section and we did not have the benefit of debating it on Second Stage. Does that pose a question in respect of Report Stage? Much of it was anticipated but it is quite a large section and I would have liked more time to give it further consideration. The Dublin and mid-east authority has worked well in respect of the spatial strategy. One reasons is the diversity of membership. It does not work so well at official level. The engagement at council level worked well. I could see a change in culture in terms of the development plans where there was a national spatial strategy and regional guidelines linking with the development plans. It fell down at local level where there was deviation when people were dealing with the practical issue of land being rezoned. That must be closely monitored. Perhaps we need more checks and balances at county level where it functions well.

The expansion into other regions is good and the linkage of land use and transport planning is essential and positive. I would prefer to see regional authorities or regional assemblies elected. It is a better way and it creates a system of checks and balances. Nominations onto the regional authorities will be very large if large numbers are nominated from each local authority but we will not get diversity if we have an equal number coming from each county.

Deputy Kevin Humphreys made the point about the rural imbalance in the local government system. The imbalance will be carried on if we proceed in this way. Some local authorities will have been brought up to the minimum of 18. Where two people are nominated, using the western region as an example, there will be a rural bias in terms of strategic planning. That will not necessarily produce a good outcome. Most of the land that will be rezoned will be in city districts or large urban centres. Where there is an imbalance in respect of the rural focus, we will not get the outcome we are getting in the Dublin and mid-east region. They are compatible areas and there is a Dublin focus in the mid-east region.

It is not clear in the wording of some of the amendments whether planning authority refers to councillors or officials. Who will be engaging? This is a concern I have in a number of sections. I am pleased to see the phrase "consistent with" used because "have regard to" was meaningless. I also have concerns about references to being consulted at local election level, which does not mean anything. Using the term "consistent with" should be included because a spatial strategy should be consistent with the national spatial strategy. I presume written submissions also includes e-mail. Perhaps the Minister can reply on that point. I presume that is not a problem with definitions.

We must seriously examine the expertise required at each local authority level in respect of strategic environmental assessment. I do not have a difficulty with them being done but I would rather see a roving team, for want of a better description, carrying them out.