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

It does not reach into the planning decision in any way. Let me give the example of ensuring the integration of design and quality standards. An assessment of an application will be allowed. I would not expect that often, but the provision is required. It does not reach into the decision-making process in any shape or form. It is about setting out the national planning statements – these are stronger than guidance – that should be followed and permitting an assessment, in real and practical terms, where it looks like something has strayed from what has been set out. Potentially, there could be serious cases that stray wildly in the application stage. Powers to make a decision on it are not given.