Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 436 relates to section 51, which is on consultation with the OPR before the preparation of the draft development plan. We will have a row about whether that is a smart idea when we get deal with the section separately. Notwithstanding the fact that I am not in favour of the overall proposition outlined in section 51, my strong view is that if it is to go ahead, there needs to be a more explicit requirement for consultation with elected members and prescribed bodies as part of the production of the report by the chief executive for the OPR. As I am sure the Minister of State knows, the development plan process currently involves the manager producing a draft report. That report is put out for public consultation and there is a formal process. It is currently the role of the planning regulator to make interventions if it feels that is appropriate in order to ensure that the plan being made will be in line with Government policy. One concern I have with the section is that there is a blurring of the lines between the role of the planning regulator as an independent enforcement body, which body I support, and policy-making. This is because the regulator is being brought in at an early stage without consultation with elected members or prescribed bodies. It is to be consulted first, and therefore it is incumbent on us to ensure, even at that stage, and given that a development plan is ultimately a function of elected members, that elected members have a key role. Notwithstanding my opposition more generally to section 51, amendment No. 436 has some merit as a kind of defensive measure, if nothing else. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's views.