Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I agree with him that residents want to have a say at the planning stage and the Bill grants them that. Being aware of proposed developments at the pre-planning stage give residents more of an opportunity to be prepared for that process. In particular, I ask the Minister to consider those sections that provide information at the pre-planning stage level. Everyone would accept community organisations are not like a traffic department or a drainage department where they need to contribute in a technical manner but they should have an opportunity to at least have access to information early in the process. Having access to such information would not in any way delay the process. All it would do is arm them and perhaps clarify some of the issues they have in advance of the formal planning process. Once the formal planning happens that conversation tends to be closed and the process moves on to a statutory level.

I appreciate the Minister's comment that he will consider including the PPN system, or notifications through the PPN system, on Report Stage. Perhaps we can work on that between now and Report Stage. I understand the timeline involved. Nobody in my community wants the SHD process to be on books for any longer than it has to be. I do not want to delay it through this amendment but I ask the Minister to consider doing whatever he can. I appreciate his response.