Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the old process I could understand the logic of An Bord Pleanála, as an overseer, not necessarily being subject to the development plan because it is trying to see if things are done as they should be done. However, now that the local authority planning section is being bypassed and things are going straight to An Bord Pleanála, it becomes a serious issue if it is not subject to the development plan. I asked for a rational argument as to how the Minister of State can justify not having An Bord Pleanála subject to the development plan now that we are getting rid of the initial process. I did not have a problem with An Bord Pleanála having the role it had up to now. However, now that the local authority planning section, which was supposed to be subject to the development plan, is being taken out of the equation, I believe we need a proviso that An Bord Pleanála must adhere to the development plan in some form or other.