Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the interests of facilitating greater transparency in the overall planning process, including in respect of the adoption of local authority development plans, I am happy to accept Deputy Ryan's amendment No. 30 requiring the chief executives' reports to the elected members on the observations or recommendations received from the OPR on draft development plans to be made available on the website of the planning authority as soon as practicable following submissions to the elected members of the local authority, which is what the Deputy is asking for. This is a significant change from what was proposed in the Bill as initiated. In line with long-standing practice, the chief executive's report, which effectively represents the chief executive's advice to the council on the public consultation process in respect of a draft development plan, is at present only required to be published once the elected members have had the opportunity to consider it - for example, at the relevant council meeting.

While I am prepared to accept this amendment at this Stage, I propose to carefully monitor the practical implementations and operation of this new arrangement, having regard to any potential unintended consequences that might arise and any difficulties experienced in the adoption of development plans by local authorities. We spoke to chief executives about this issue. We wish to make sure this is not used as a kind of enforced delaying tactic that may be part of a lobbying exercise or something inappropriately. We think it can work and that it is a good change to make sure that councillors are making decisions with a more informed position in terms of the consequences of what they are doing. However, it is quite a fundamental change in terms of the information flow. We think it is an improvement, but I wish to flag that if there is something relating to this change that we have not thought of yet, we will have to keep an eye on it.

However, it appears to be a sensible, transparent proposal so we are willing to accept it.