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

I will respond briefly. I am conscious that this was discussed at length in the context of the position with national planning statements and the view of some that they should go before the Dáil. The view of Government is that they should not, but I want to respond. This has been very clearly debated and articulated. The fundamental point is that these are policy statements and that policy is a matter for Government, not the Oireachtas. That would come from a committee, as such. It has been agreed we would look at the wording of section 23(6) with regard to engagement with the Oireachtas joint committee post publication. The detail Deputy O'Callaghan has gone into is nearly at development plan level. Do not forget we are also altering the development plans to a ten-year period to ensure that there the approach will be much more plan led. The Deputy can look at what we have done on sustainable residential development and compact settlement guidelines, which have been published for public consultation as well. There are draft publications and those type of things. One of the reasons for this is that guidelines have been interpreted, and there have been different interpretations across different planning authorities. The system needs to be more streamlined and very clear in the context of what is happening.

Moving to Deputy Ó Broin's points, co-living is a good example. This committee did a reasonable job on it. I was against it in opposition and I banned it in government. I ended co-living and think that was the right thing to do. The joint committee may have a role in inputting post the publication of the national planning statements.

It was mentioned last week that I will look at section 23(6) prior to Report Stage. I refer also to section 24(2), which states, "Before issuing a National Planning Statement, the Minister may consult ..." followed by four paragraphs, namely, (a) to (d). We can take Deputy O'Callaghan's example of density and better densification. In the context of a matter like that, one would expect the Minister to enter into a public consultation process, and that is provided for. However, the adoption of national planning statements, once completed and agreed, is a matter for the Government. That has been discussed at length. There would also be issues for Members of the Oireachtas as well, and I am conscious Deputies went into this further. Some of these could be very technical. Some of the national planning statements would be procedural around development plans, local area plans, LAPs, development management and SEAs. Is the Oireachtas to get involved in every one of these or choose which? There are also the potential implications that could have for TDs and Senators in the context of their interaction with the planning process as elected Members within their constituencies. I am precluded because I am responsible for national policy. If Members make themselves responsible for national policy by way of a vote within the Dáil, does that also preclude them under the previous section 30 of having any interaction or making any representations, for argument's sake, in planning matters and live planning applications? I am sure it would not suit the three Deputies opposite were that the case.