Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Ó Broin, fundamentally, we are consistent in our approach whereby it is the Government that sets policy. Under section 24(2), there is nothing to stop a Minister, whomever that may be, from consulting with whatever public bodies he or she considers appropriate. There is nothing to stop a Minister from coming to an Oireachtas committee. To deal with Deputy Ó Broin’s core point, it is the Government that determines policy.

In response to Deputy Matthews, we believe that approval has to rest with the Government and it is the prerogative of the Government to set policy. As referenced under section 24(2), there is nothing to stop a Minister from consulting with an Oireachtas committee on anything. Furthermore, there is nothing to stop a committee from being updated when the Bill is approved. Obviously, it is laid within ten days, so it will be post that time. There is nothing to stop a committee from being updated in respect of a national planning statement that has been approved and issued by the Government. We can look at this for Report Stage to see if we can come up with something in that space.