Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Maybe I am looking at it differently but I see this as being very democratic.

Section 21 states:

(2) The Minister shall make provision for public consultation in the review of the National Planning Framework, including arrangements for consulting— (a) members of the Oireachtas,

(b) regional assemblies,

(c) local authorities,

(d) the Commission,

(e) the Office of the Planning Regulator,

(f) the Environmental Protection Agency,

(g) the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority,

(h) members of the public,

(i) any Department or body in Northern Ireland having responsibility for regional development (where that Department agrees to such consultation), and

(j) such other persons or public bodies as the Minister considers appropriate. [...]

(4) In carrying out a review under section 20, the Government shall have regard to any observations made on foot of the consultations under subsection (2), including any resolution or report of the Oireachtas or any committee of the Oireachtas, in respect of the matters to be included in the National Planning Framework.

That could not be clearer. The Oireachtas is involved early in the preparation of the NPF, elected members sign off on county development plans, a CEO's report is furnished and all of the items in it are addressed. If we were to have a four-hour debate in the Dáil and a vote thereafter, one would assume that a Government majority would still win. We are providing for very broad public consultation and engagement on the NPF. The phrase "the Government shall have regard" could not be stronger regarding the role of Oireachtas Members and the wider role of members of the public. My view and that of the Government's is that it could not be stronger about the broad consultation that has to take place regarding the NPF.