Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the interaction with elected members, I take the Deputy's point and have some sympathy. As Deputies can see, we have detailed what the Minister shall do before issuing an urgent direction. Section 65(4), in paragraphs (a) to (d), lists what the Minister shall do and that includes consulting the OPR and so on. I understand the point about elected members of a local authority. We have to make sure that is sufficient. Having said that, I do not envision this being used in a widespread way. One would have thought it would be a rare enough occasion. As I said, an urgent direction would apply to "an event or situation with significant national, regional or strategic implications has occurred or is likely to occur". One would expect that would be in extremis but, having said that, I am content to look at what role the local authority would have within that. The Minister would still issue the urgent direction but before doing so, there would be consultation with the relevant local authority. I will look at that in advance of Report Stage.