Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 166, as Deputy O'Callaghan outlined, seeks to add "prescribed bodies" to the list of those bodies in respect of which the Minister must put in place arrangements for consulting with as part of the public consultation on the review of the NPF. It is my clear view that there is sufficient capacity for effective consultation arrangements in the Bill as drafted. Indeed, it happens already. My Department engages in significant consultation programmes to gather a wide range of views and continues to engage in extensive consultation through such fora as the Planning Advisory Forum, for example. The need for consultation is acknowledged but there needs to be practical flexibility to the type and format of such consultation. Section 21(2)(j), which refers to "such other persons or public bodies as the Minister considers appropriate", is, in itself, more than appropriate. It ensures that consultation takes place and there is flexibility as to the type and format of same. Furthermore, in the context of Deputy O'Callaghan's point regarding environmental considerations, subsection (3) states very clearly: "The National Planning Framework shall be subject to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (and Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations) and the Habitats Directive." It is for these reasons that I am not in a position to accept amendment No. 166.