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

I will repeat it in full. Amendments Nos. 626 and 628 propose to delete sections 84(5)(a) and 84(6) of the Bill, which allow the planning authority or the commission to attach a condition requiring the construction or financing, in whole or in part, of a facility that would be of substantial gain to the community in the area of the development and the provision or financing, in whole or in part, of a service that would be of substantial gain to the community in the area of the development.

The amendments maintain the ability to attach a condition for the payment of a contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the area of the development. I believe the other options of providing a facility or service that would be of substantial gain to the community in lieu of a payment are important to maintain because they allow for flexibility in providing necessary services. They can be better sequenced with the development of a given scheme. Moreover, they are a practical way of dealing with the need for services to be provided. Therefore, I cannot accept the amendments.