Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is there not a clear legal difference in the legislation between the provision that the board have regard for the development plans and the planning authority having to comply with those plans? That is a fundamental difference. There may be a small number of cases where there is a disagreement between the planning authority and the board. However, the fact that it is the board that decides on the primary application weakens the strength of the development plan and, therefore, the democratic process. Is that not a fair assumption?