Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy O'Callaghan's first question, section 9(4) of the Act of 2000 states:

In making a development plan in accordance with this Chapter, a planning authority shall have regard to the development plans of adjoining planning authorities and shall co-ordinate the objectives in the development plan with the objectives in the plans of those authorities except where the planning authority considers it to be inappropriate or not feasible to do so.

The difference in the Bill before us is that all development plans now must be materially consistent with the regional economic and spatial strategies and the national planning framework. Those are the overarching documents. Sections 40(7) and 41(3)(f) must be taken together. The reference to having regard to the plans of adjoining planning authorities in the making of a development plan must be taken together with the reference to the statement demonstrating the manner in which the plan is co-ordinated with the integrated overall strategy of the development plan of an adjoining planning authority. Therefore, there are significant checks and balances to ensure co-ordination and consistency across the development plans. I note the points made by Deputy Cian O'Callaghan on the development he spoke about, but the legislation is robust to ensure consistency and that plans must be materially compliant with both the regional strategies and the national planning framework.