Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a brief question which is not specific to the Estimates but which relates to them. I wish to raise issues on the process surrounding county and regional development plans. That process could almost be suspended when efforts are being made to address the housing emergency. It is a matter for a procurement agency or housing authority to consider. The formulation of the county development plan, is a long and difficult process. When I was a councillor, I noticed that it is difficult for local authority members to be completely engaged in the way they should or could be in the work relating to development plans. I think this is due to the lack of expertise available to them when their opinions may be contrary to those of the executives of local authorities. Where councillors veer away from the opinions of the executive, they could be personally culpable and/or responsible in the event of issues arising from their amendments to the development plan. It should be incumbent on the Department to provide finance for expertise to be available to local authority members in order that they might have at their disposal an independent assessment of the recommendations they feel are necessary. I ask for consideration to be given in 2017 for the funding of the necessary resources?