Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are trying to balance the desire for longer-term planning with the ability of, in particular, new councillors who might be elected in the second half of a development plan to have an input. There is also the question of the very necessary change in how a community might develop. I do not think it is unreasonable to suggest that a councillor, rather than just the chief executive, might be able to bring forward a motion. I do not think it undoes that balance. We are already making progress, which is one way of putting it, and providing a longer-term view by removing or extending the term of a development plan. This would help to add a check or balance to the process and give local councillors stronger powers. We should try to incorporate this, if not at this stage then in an amendment on Report Stage which reflects the discussion across parties on the committee.