Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, absolutely. I am not criticising that, by the way. I think there is merit in it. That also means, however, that the statements are going to be controversial and, therefore, the additional value of coming to committee with these policy statements in some form, not unlike how we deal with exempted developments, although it may not be exactly the same, would be that some of those political controversies or information that might misinform their controversial nature can be adequately dealt with. It seems to be an eminently sensible way to proceed, not least given that some of these policy statements will originate with what are pre-existing controversial mandatory ministerial guidelines or mandatory ministerial guidelines the Government has not been willing to publish in draft form for public consultation because it knows they will be controversial.

We had a lengthy discussion about this in pre-legislative scrutiny and there were different views. The regulator was adamant, if I recall, that it was not necessary, while other professionals appearing before the committee felt there was some role. I appreciate that the Minister of State is not going to accept the amendment, but I think he will need to think about a more structured role for the Oireachtas, and particularly for the committee, given the committee is a much more constructive place than is necessarily the floor of the Chamber, which can be more adversarial. I think it would make the process more robust and transparent and would ultimately lead to better planning statements, which the Minister of State has accepted are statutory.