Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

An Bord Pleanála has to take it on board; it is obliged to use it. It is the planning book for the county or local authority area. However, it is not bound by it. That is not proposed in legislation at the moment. If we go down that road after consultation down the line, that is a debate Deputies can have. We are not prepared to do it in this legislation and do not think it is necessary. I totally understand the point the Deputy is making. From my reading of planning, I think it would be wrong for it to be bound by it. That is not something we are proposing. That does not stop Deputies considering it at a later stage. We are not taking it on board at this stage.