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

I will address amendment No. 484, tabled by Deputy McAuliffe, which concerns section 55. It provides that the chief executive of a planning authority may recommend that the housing development strategy be adjusted and the development plan varied accordingly where he or she considers that there has been a change in the housing market that significantly affects the housing development strategy. Amendment No. 484 seeks to amend this provision to allow for other considerations that significantly affect the housing development strategy in addition to change in the housing market.

I consider that the section is appropriately worded and to include "other considerations" would be open to a wide interpretation that would not be conducive to the effective and reasonable operation of the section. On that basis, I am not minded to accept the amendment.