Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of our guests for coming. Will they indicate how many of them are members of the IPI? I am somewhat disappointed with Mr. Corr because I have picked up mixed messages from him in the context of his written submission to the committee versus his oral contributions during the meeting. I get a sense of milk and water, although I do not mean that disrespectfully, as to how he made his case for IPI members, some of whom I know personally. Each guest might identify whether he or she is a member of the IPI because some members are observing the meeting. I am disappointed because what Mr. Corr has told the committee is not altogether consistent with what other members of the organisation have told me.

I stated earlier that the centralisation of planning function is fundamentally at odds with the principles of subsidiarity. The IPI cannot, therefore, stand over any extension of the time for SHD. Let us remember, we are discussing a review of the SHD process.

Where does each member of the committee stand? In a simple "Yes" or "No" answer, are they in support of an extension of SHD for a further two years?

I asked a question earlier but did not get a response. I would be particularly interested in Mr. Spain's and Dr. Duffy's responses. I would like a specific, focused answer on the introduction of a land value tax for sites that have received permission via SHD. I doubt PII's members want it and, therefore, Mr. Spain and Dr. Duffy might believe they are unable to respond. Nevertheless, I ask the question on behalf of the committee and would like a response today.

SHD should be scrapped. It is an affront to democracy and to the democratic planning process. It does not permit elected representatives on local councils throughout the country participate in the development of sustainable communities or represent their constituents or their people. That is fundamentally wrong and runs deeply contrary to the Aarhus Convention. I will challenge it and, leaving the meeting with more resolve, I undertake to engage with the Green Party, which is very much to the fore of the political movement in the House, as well as in Europe, in the run-up to a general election. We need to examine whether the Houses of the Oireachtas support something that is at variance with the Aarhus Convention. I believe that it is at variance and we Members need to get political about it. We must mobilise our communities and say enough is enough. We live in a Republic, with a capital R, and in a democracy, with a capital D, and we must respect and allow our public and local representatives to engage, but this is an affront to that.