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

Amendment No. 130 seeks to replace section 19(2)(a) which outlines the first key objective of the national planning framework, including policies and proposals for:

(a) securing national and regional development strategies, including maximising the potential of the regions;

(b) supporting proper planning and sustainable development in urban and rural areas;

In place of the above, the Deputies wish to insert:

(a) Securing sustainable national and regional development strategies;

(b) Maximising the potential of the regions, while supporting proper planning and sustainable development in urban and rural areas;”

With regards to (a), section 19(2) already states very clearly that the national planning framework as a whole sets out the "Government’s broad national plan in relation to the strategic planning and sustainable development of the State". I place emphasis on the latter part. This principle is true of all objectives, including objective (a), which flow from or fall out from it. While objective 19(2)(a) pertains to the regions, 19(2)(b) has regard to proper planning and sustainable development in general in urban and rural areas. There is no need to repeat the objective relating to 19(2)(a) in 19(2)(b) and, therefore, I oppose the proposed amendment.