Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the witnesses comment on that? There are rural communities, TDs and Senators who will be going out door-to-door in the coming days and weeks and they will be put to it. The IFA, ICMSA and farm organisations have asked for this. All groups have said privately here that it should happen but it has not happened. Why has it not happened and is there a place for all of that in here?

I welcome the idea that the submissions will be published. We are somewhat in a vacuum here today in that the Government made decisions this morning and here we are meeting this afternoon. We do not really have details and I agree with Deputy Ó Broin on that. We are at a slight disadvantage and vacuum on that.

The Climate Change Advisory Council referenced that the Office of the Planning Regulator will also play a critical role and it is seen as being important in terms of assessing the local and regional plans but more importantly ensuring these plans provide the sustainable development and key objectives. Will the Climate Change Advisory Council representatives touch on that because I see they are sitting there quietly and I thought I had better ask a question?

Will Mr. Hogan touch on the regional planning guidelines? It is not tenable and it is not acceptable that we should be fobbed off for years and years about this. That might have been facilitated and aided by the politicos around but the people of this country who live in rural communities will now have an opportunity on their doors to demand to know what is happening there.