Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully get the intent of this friendly amendment, as Deputy Ó Broin has called it. I give consideration to all amendments that members have worked on and put forward. I do not have an objection to this per sebut, to look at another element, if we were to adopt the amendment we would start to become prescriptive with regard to the travel element while not being prescriptive about the public amenities element under section 2(d). After "to enable the sustainable development of new and regenerated communities well-served by schools, public transport", "road, cycling and other active mobility infrastructure" would be added in before "and public amenities". This could raise questions. I am genuinely not trying to be difficult, but do we then need to start defining what these public amenities are? Deputy Duncan Smith just made a very valid point with regard to escooters. What other things would present themselves in a few years' time when we are operating under this legislation? I would have thought it preferable to leave the provision broad so that it can encompass all of those elements as opposed to being too prescriptive.

I have sympathy for what the members are saying in the sense that we absolutely want to ensure that these new developments will have connectivity with the towns and cities in which they are located and that active mobility is provided for through good infrastructure for cycling, walking and other modes of transport. I am happy to look at whether section 2(d) could be broadened in some way to encompass that. I am genuine in asking, however, why we would not be prescriptive about public amenities if we are going to be prescriptive with regard to the type of transport or travel facilities? It would bring a bit of imbalance to section 2(d). I am happy to look at the issue on Report Stage. I take the amendment as being intended constructively. There is no question about that. We are not just opposing it for the sake of opposing it. The Deputy will have seen earlier that I am quite happy to accept amendments. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan has an amendment that makes sense. I can look at the issue again on Report Stage and see if we can improve the wording. I am happy to do that but I will leave it up to the Deputies to decide whether to press their amendment.