Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

There is a minute left in that slot. If the Deputy does not mind, I will expand on what he has said. There is a significant difference with regard to councillors being briefed and making comment on a planning application for an SHD which will be decided by another entity, namely, An Bord Pleanála, and on which the chief executive makes a submission.

There is a difference between councillors making comments or requests to the actual decision maker, who is the chief executive under section 34. I can see that there would be a difficulty there. One is making a contribution or submission to another party. Under section 34, one is making a contribution and request to the decision maker on that. I can see that might need some clarity. That might be helpfully done by way of a circular to local authorities, planners and chief executives to make it clear that a briefing should consist of particular things, but to be cautious about particular matters. That would be helpful to all councillors, planners and the whole process.