Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I think it should be the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. This document, when it is agreed, will set the country on a path for the next few decades. It is not a loose thing. It is a hugely important thing and it should be the Minister who owns the document that is before us, notwithstanding the work his team have put into this.

I am with Deputy Ó Broin on this and the consultation over the summer. I do not think we will get the political oversight of this over the summer months. Realistically, this is our last day of term. TDs and Senators will go back to their constituencies. They will not be as engaged and it is very remiss that we will not have that political engagement on such an important document over the summer. I do not think it is acceptable that it will run throughout July and August and into September. I strongly fear we will not have sufficient political engagement and we will ultimately not have a document that has political legitimacy in the end. I want to put that on the record.

Will the officials define balanced regional development? What is their understanding of it?