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

Deputy Ó Broin kind of answered the question at the end. It is the exact same process. At the moment, a development plan goes to public consultation. There are a large number of public submissions. The OPR then engages and, depending on the outcome of its deliberations with the local authority, it may make a draft direction to me as Minister. I will then consider what it has sent. On many occasions, I will go back into the plans to look at submissions. Rather than making it that the Minister has to consider every single submission, the OPR has a role in the process.

The amendment refers to the summary of submissions. It is not referring to a summary of key submissions but of all submissions. Section 37(12) states:

(12) A copy of the recommendation and report sent to the Minister under subsections (8)...shall be— (a) made available on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Office of the Planning Regulator, and

(b) sent to the regional assembly concerned.

These are all public documents. It is consistent with the current approach, which works quite well and is efficient.

On the regulations, we want it to be as streamlined as possible. When the regulations are published, there will be indications within them. If it involves, say, flooding, you have to consult with the OPR.

However, we have to allow the OPR some flexibility at the end to apply professional discretion and judgment regarding other areas to include. It must be comprehensive and in some way directed, but at the same time some degree of flexibility must be provided for the OPR. The Deputy is asking whether there will be a multitude of regulations. There will not. However, within that, it is quite defined.