Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On amendment No. 171 on the national planning framework, subsequent to Deputy Ó Broin's comments, I would like to know why the Government, in terms of this planning Bill, is not accepting in full the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal. Why is it departing from them? Is it a Government decision to depart from the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal? Until this point it was my understanding that there was an acceptance of the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal. Why is this Government departing from that? Has that been decided at Cabinet, not to accept in full the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal in terms of this planning Bill? Has there been discussion about that? Is this a conscious decision or is it something the Government is not aware it is doing and simply does not know it is doing it, namely, not to accept the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal? What is the policy basis and rationale for the changes in the national planning framework compared with the 2000 Act? Why is the role of the Oireachtas being removed in the way it is? Why is the role of the Oireachtas joint committee also being taken away? Will the Minister of State explain those to us?